[Question #11042] Stabbed myself with razor like object
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17 months ago
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Hello doctors, thank you for your help. I had a simple, and perhaps silly question, but I wanted to get some of your feedback. I recently purchased a brand new tool to remove threads from a sweater. It's essentially a razor with a handle, while I was doing this, I slipped and punctured my forearm with this device, it was literally dangling from my skin to where I had to pull it out. I bought it brand new off of Amazon, made in China and I live in the US. But I was sort of thinking, if the person who made that thread remover happened to have a cut on their hands, or somehow punctured themselves, didn't notice. Shipped it, and then punctured myself. Do I have anything to worry about as far as Hep C or HIV? Thanks!
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
17 months ago
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Welcome to the forum. As the cliche goes, there is no such thing as a silly question. If you're concerned about something, ask about it! On that basis, I'm glad you're here.
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This event was no risk at all for HIV or any other blood-borne infection. Educational materials often state "blood exposure" as a risk, but often don't discuss the kinds of blood exposure that transmit HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV, and other (even perhaps some unknown) viruses. These viruses do not survive in the environment, after drying etc; or even if a razor blade or other sharp object had recently been used by an infected person. The most common situation people have worried about -- often because of exaggerated information they find online -- is stepping on and being punctured by a used needle used for drug injection. Even that has never actually been known to result in infection with HIV or any other blood borne virus. And no packaged razor (from China or anywhere else) could possibly be contaminated.
So no risk, no worries. Don't get tested for anything on account of this event. And feel entirely free to use the razor blades for their intended purpose. You can safely shave with them!
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
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17 months ago
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Thanks for the reply! It wasn't so much a razor for shaving, but more so a very sharp bladed point to remove threads from a sweatshirt, picture like a pen with a very, very very sharp tip etc. At first I thought it was ridiculous to even be concerned, but I made the mistake of checking Google and found some results, saying hep c could survive in dried blood as well as being infectious up to six weeks. I assume this information is possibly incorrect?
Thanks!
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
17 months ago
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The internet is not your friend -- nor the friend of anyone searching about something they are anxious about. Anxious persons almost universally look for and find information that inflames their fears. Anyone can write anything they want. And don't over-interpret findings like "virus can survive". Whether it does or not, I'd bet nobody in the world ever caught HCV from an event anything like you are worried about.
Don't overthink this. And stop searching online -- or at least limit searching to professional or professionally moderated sites. There is nothing you will think of or will find online that would change my assessment and advice. There is absolutely no rational cause for worry.
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17 months ago
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I appreciate it! I also assume most of these things are probably automated anyway! Thanks for the reassurance
No testing necessary?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
17 months ago
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As I said in my initial reply, "Don't get tested for anything on account of this event."
That completes the two follow-up exchanges include with each question and so ends this thread. I'm glad the disucssion has been helpful: thanks for the thanks. Take care and stay safe.
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