[Question #1020] Blood contact

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100 months ago
I came into contact with dry blood from a patient (only 1 hour old) while i was working at a medical clinic. I have very bad eczema on my hands so there where quite a few abrasions new & old on my hands. This patient had no tests on his medical record to rule out HIV, AIDs, Hepatitis A, B &C. I went for testing after a two week period then again after another month had gone by. Both tests came back clear. My question is should i go for the six month testing to definitely rule out everything? and because it was dry blood (only hour old) how likely is it i would have contracted one of these viruses?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
100 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. Your risk for infection from contact with dried blood from a patient whose HIV and hepatitis status is unknown was very, very low (effectively zero) however, you did just the right things by being tested.  Your one month test results nearly completely rule out the possibility of infection from the exposure that you mention.  Despite that, official recommendations for follow-up testing often recommend further testing at three of even six months following an exposure of the sort you describe.  If I were you, I would certainly not worry further but I would go on and get tested in a few months, just to comply with official recommendations.  When you re-test, I am confident the tests will be negative.

I hope this comment is helpful.  EWH

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100 months ago
Yes thank you so much for your help :)
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
100 months ago
I'm pleased we could help.  Take care.  EWH
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