Hi,
I recently got a rapid test done. After drawing blood from my finger and conducting the test, the nurse threw out the remainders of the test into the sharps container with her bare hands. She then handed me a bandaid. Would it be possible for her to transfer somebody else's blood from the sharps container onto the bandaid and then into my bloodstream through the bandaid (the bandaid was used to cover the prick she drew the blood from). This was done in a setting where people get tested within fifteen minutes of each other... Could fresh blood survive on the sharps container and then get transferred onto me in the way I described. Thank you so much!
Hello,
Thank you for using AIDS Vancouver Helpline. The situation you have described is no risk for HIV transmission. When exposed to air, HIV does not survive outside of the body for more than a few seconds to minutes. In order for there to even be any risk on transmission, a lot of blood would need to enter your little open cut from the prick of the needle (and transmission in this manner is only in theory). Even if some blood did transfer to the bandaid (which is high unlikely), this blood would most likely be dried up and there wouldn't be enough blood to enter your bloodstream. As a general rule, HIV transmission cannot occur from inanimate objects to you (this includes toilet seats, kitchen utensils and surfaces potentially covered with HIV+ fluids).
If you have any more questions feel free to email or comment on this post.
Have a good day,
Kamani
AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer
e: helpline@aidsvancouver.org
p: (Mon-Fri 9-4pm ): (604) 696-4666
w: www.aidsvancouver.org/helpline
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