Transmission this way?
Question: Hey! you are really helpful by doing this!! That's my situation..
And i would really appriciate your opinion. I am a first year med student and
3 weeks ago, at a lab, i think some blood mixed with water on a tube might fall in a wound i had on my finger (not bleeding). Any the amount of blood if droped, it was very tiny. I am really worried as i am having flu symptoms. Am i in danger?? Thank you very much!
Hello and thank you for using AIDS Vancouver as your source of HIV/AIDS related information.
As you may already know, to acquire HIV, HIV+ bodily fluids (blood, pre-cum & semen, vaginal fluids, rectal secretions and breast milk) have to directly enter your bloodstream (generally through vagina, anus, urethra in the penis, other mucosal membranes, points of needle injections, and in theory open cuts and sores).
In theory, one can acquire HIV through open cuts and sores but in practice, healing cuts, hang nails etc. do not provide sufficient access to a person's blood stream when it comes to HIV transmission. We only know of one case of HIV transmission through an open cut/sore & that was via a fairly bloody knife fight.
HIV is a virus that only affects humans, so if the virus does not have a human host, it begins to 'die' very quickly as soon as it is outside of that host, specifically when it is exposed to air.
In the situation you described, you talk about mixing blood in a tube. Were you wearing gloves for this lab work? Gloves are considered a universal precaution & could help you avoid any anxiety about coming into contact with bodily fluids in the future.
Very few people experience strong flu-like symptoms 2-6 weeks after infection but we strongly encourage everyone to avoid (self)diagnosing based on symptoms because when it comes to HIV, testing is the only reliable way to determine a person’s status.
Even though I would not worry about acquiring HIV from the situation you described, it may be good idea to get tested for HIV if you have never done so.
We do recommend all the people who are sexually active to get tested for STIs, including HIV, regularly to know your status, and to protect yourself and your partners. Standard HIV tests (3rd Generation ELISA Antibody Tests) are extremely accurate and reliable as early as 4 weeks post possible exposure/high risk activity.
Hopefully you find the information helpful.
If you have further questions and/or concerns, please feel free to call/email us.
Stay healthy and keep smiling
Yoshiko,
AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer
E-mail: helpline@aidsvancouver.org
Phone (Mon-Fri 9-4pm): (604) 696-4666
Web: www.aidsvancouver.org/helpline
Disclaimer
The AIDS Vancouver Helpline is a volunteer-driven information, referral and support service related to HIV and sexual health. Volunteers are trained in active listening, HIV and sexual health information, and local resources and services. Volunteers are not doctors, nurses, or other licensed professionals. Volunteers do not give advice, and strive to provide service-users with adequate information and appropriate referrals.
Helpline volunteers uphold the agency’s confidentiality and privacy policies. Your calls, forum posts, and emails are anonymous. We welcome you to use a pseudonym or “fake name” when using Helpline services. We will not ask for or track your personal information. To ensure that the Helpline program is providing quality services, the Helpline Coordinator regularly monitors online content (forum posts and emails) and supervises volunteers who are receiving calls.
The Helpline Program should not be used in replacement of medical examination, diagnosis, advice counseling or follow-up care. We strongly recommend routine testing (HIV and STI tests) and discussing your healthcare directly with a physician.
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