You are here:
- Home
- Health/Fitness
- AIDS/HIV
- AIDS
- Food Supplement Leaked
AIDS/Food Supplement Leaked
Advertisement
Question
Hello - I was at work and transporting a patient who was hooked up to numerous IVs and a NG feeding tube. We went over a bump and the plug on the hanging feeding tube bag pulled out and my hand became covered with the supplement. At the time I was wearing gloves, however, I had broken skin (due to a rash) on my wrist which was exposed to the liquid.
I am extremely nervous that I may have contracted HIV due to the fact I had broken skin at the time. Is a HIV test warranted??
Dear Nervous:
Peace. As I read it, you were exposed to a feeding supplement, not the blood or semen of the patient, correct? No significant exposure to potentially infectious bodily fluids, therefore no risk. Test not warranted.
If you want more information, go to www.avert.org for some nice articles on transmission, or to www.cdc.gov and search for "occupational exposure" for stats on risk to health care workers.
Glad to help, relax and enjoy life.
Best to you and yours,
Terry
Related Articles
- Do I Really Need an HIV Test Every 6 Months to Find Out if I Have AIDS?
- Herbal Supplements and Surgery - Risks of Using Herbal Supplements Before Surgery
- HIV Test - When Should I Get My HIV Test
- Reef Corals Nutrition, Foods, Supplements and Feeding Information - Reef Corals Nutrition, Foods, Supplements and Feeding Information
- Nutritional Supplementation - German Shepherd
Terry B
Expertise
Help in assessing personal and professional risk of HIV transmission; tips in teaching about HIV/AIDS; cultural competency for teaching about HIV/AIDS in Catholic settings; considerations in US and overseas HIV/AIDS programs and education for health and other professionals. Specific questions about treatment should be referred to your health provider; opinions and information offered are not meant to replace medical advice
Experience
Seven years with academic medical center and national AIDS education and training center, seven subsequent years with focus on international HIV/AIDS in East and South Africa. Former clinician, bioethics preceptor at an academic medical center and presenter in wide range of fora including international AIDS conference.
Organizations
Disabled American Veterans
American Public Health Association
MENSA
AA
Publications
Human Variety, EC Sociological Society
Proceedings of the International AIDS Conference, Durban, South Africa
"HIV and Primary Care"
Education/Credentials
BS Psychology
MPH Master of Public Health
PhD studies underway
Awards and Honors
Naval School of Health Sciences, Hospital Corps with Highest Honors, Neuropsychiatry with Honors and High Distinction
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.