I was fishing for trout in a larger crowded dock in king county, WA. I was there for a few hours and moved 

to a new location on the same dock before reeling up and putting away my fishing pole, while doing this the hook and 

Powerbait dragged around the dock for a few minutes before I accidentally punctured the back of my 

finger with the hook twice. It did not go very deep to the barb but went in about 5 millimeters of a size 6 

hook. When I squeezed it one puncture it drew a bit of blood. I put hand sanitizer on afterwards as 

I could not get to the bathroom. Then I took a shower when I got home. 

There was some fish blood on the ground where my hook was dragging around the ground a few 

minutes before hooking myself. After I got home I started to worry that there could have been human blood that also 

contacted my hook and then hooked me. I am fearing HCV or HIV blood could have been on the ground. 

Is there any need for concern? I’ve been vaccinated for Tdap 10 years ago. 

Thank you doctors for everything that you do.

You probably are aware that fish cannot possibly be infected with HIV, HCV, or any other human blood borne infection. And the likelihood that human blood -- infected or not -- was on the dock is zero for all practical purposes. Nobody in the world has ever been known or even suspected to have caught blood borne infections by exposure to blood in the environment. And even if somehow contaminated blood were present, not nearly enough could be carried on a fish hook to have put you at risk. There is no need for concern. And tetanus cannot be transmitted by such a superficial wound. You don't need testing for anything, and no need for medical care.

I hope this information is reassuring to you. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

Hi Dr. Handsfield,

No worries about the delay, Thank you for the thoughtful response. This is reassuring.

Would this still be practically zero even considering nearly everyone on the crowded dock was there for fishing? Was just thinking about accidents that could have occurred throughout the day.

In trying to calm my brain with logic and having read a couple of your writing of probability calculations. What would be your probability for HIV HCV risk?

Thank you, you are much appreciated. 

I would put the probability of this event infecting you at well under one chance in billions.