I am a new CNA, and I was changing a brief on an HIV positive resident on a vent who coughed and I got sprayed with mucus. I was wearing glasses and a mask, but I know that some got underneath the side of my glasses because of the angle at which I stood. I thought I was okay, but now, 3 days later I have a runny nose and fever. I'm really scared.
I know that HIV doesn't necessarily show up in tests for sometimes years, but I've heard they have new blood tests that are accurate-can anyone give me advice on this?
Are employers required to help you get tested for HIV?
:oI guess I'm just paranoid because I'm new, I've only been working for a few weeks. The sputum came out through the small hole on the oxygen mask over her trach. It got on my neck and the side of my face, and in my ear. It was quite a spray and I wasn't expecting it, I don't believe it got in my nose/mouth, but I know it got close to getting in my eye and wasn't sure.
I talked to my supervisor the day after I posted, and she said that it was unlikely I caught anything, and said I should be fine and don't need the testing. I also found out that this patient is known for spraying sputum often (some say on purpose), so the other cna's requested goggles and more masks to work with this particular patient, which I can now use over my regular glasses which have a bit of a gap.
Thank you so much for you help and replies, I feel a bit silly!
MarellaMagdalene
5 Posts
:oI guess I'm just paranoid because I'm new, I've only been working for a few weeks. The sputum came out through the small hole on the oxygen mask over her trach. It got on my neck and the side of my face, and in my ear. It was quite a spray and I wasn't expecting it, I don't believe it got in my nose/mouth, but I know it got close to getting in my eye and wasn't sure.
I talked to my supervisor the day after I posted, and she said that it was unlikely I caught anything, and said I should be fine and don't need the testing. I also found out that this patient is known for spraying sputum often (some say on purpose), so the other cna's requested goggles and more masks to work with this particular patient, which I can now use over my regular glasses which have a bit of a gap.
Thank you so much for you help and replies, I feel a bit silly!