Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 1/21/2008

Question
I recently went for a rapid blood test at a local clinic. The person before me in the room tested positive. I went into the room after this person. My test was negative but then I became concerned about the lancet. I was told they are one time use only. My questions are should I be worried about the lancet being reused? Is there any risk if there was blood from the previous person entering the finger prick hole on my finger (from the lancet or the technicians glove, there was about a 5-10 minute time span between the time I enetered the room to the test)? Am I being OCD about this? I am about to be a father and I went for this testing because of concern about a reused needle at a medical office.

Can I be 100% sure I did not get HIV from testing? I thank you in advance for your answer.

Answer
I cannot speak for what happens at any clinic...it is standard procedure to always use new materials. I am not sure how or why you know about the person tested before you but if needles were re-used, then yes, there is risk there.

Youre asking me questions that there is no way I would know the answer to...