Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 9/17/2010

Question
I work in a self-contained multi-disabled classroom. Today a little guy, who suffers from serve seizures, hit his head. This is not an unusual occurrence so I didn't think anything about rubbing his head to soothe the hurt. This time, however, he cut his head open and I had blood on my hands.
I got help immediately, then washed my hands and arms with soap and water then wiped them with alcohol wipes before going back with gloves on to help. I wasn't worried until I was told that an HIV test as well as a Hepatitis test would be available to me within a month or so at no expense to me. I then started to look over my hands and arms. I remembered a splinter in the top of one of my fingers I'd gotten a day or two before. I dug it out this evening and found it was in pretty deep, but didn't bleed when it was removed. Still, I was wondering if it's possible for either HIV or Hepatitis to be transmitted to me through that spot/splinter on my finger?
Thank you so much for your time.  

Answer
My hunch is that those tests were offered to you bc you were potentially put at risk while at work and to avoid a lawsuit they have to take those kinds of measures. Offering the tests does not mean its likely you were infected with anything. My hunch is that it's protocol. That said, I cannot say that there wasnt a potential risk in the situation because nothing is 100%. What I can tell you is that teh likelihood of you contracting anything is very, very, very small. My advice is to take the tests when they are available for your peace of mind- AND that of your employers but dont worry about it.