Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 5/25/2008

Question
In my 10th week of pregnancy, my husband and I went to the emergency room for vaginal bleeding.  Of course with this, comes a stream of tests to let us know if the pregnancy is going forward or has aborted.  The phlebotomist came in to withdrawal blood, he wore gloves except for his left hand index finger.  He used this to find my vein, I have hard veins to find.  I am pretty sure he pulled away before sticking me with the needle, but not 100%.  When he pulled the needle out, he blotted my vein with a cotton ball using that same hand.  What are my chances of receiving something infectious from this person?  How often does the medical profession check themselves for infectious diseases?  Just wondering, because I am at week 19 now.  Thanks.

Answer
You cannot get HIV from what you described. HIV is passed through fluids- skin to skin contact does not transmit HIV. I dont know how often hospital employees are tested for infectious diseases. People with HIV can work in hospitals because all hospital employees are supposed to use universal precautions.