[Question #9083] Vaccine Injection

36 months ago

Dear Doctor,

Last Tuesday, I went to the hospital with the aim of getting the fourth dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

As you know, there is a partitions with blue curtains to vaccinate people

I was admitted to one of them.

Indeed, a nurse opened the curtain from the opposite partition, with a tray containing vaccine tools (pre-prepared needles, small gauze pieces، medical tape and alcohol pads) in her hand. At the same time, a patient came out of the opposite partition and left the place.

The nurse went to my room, put the tray on the table, closed the curtain, I didn't see what she did with the tools as her back was on my side and then quickly walked over to me, she applied the bandage partially to the deltoid muscle and wiped with the well-known little alcohol pad under the placement of the bandage. She gave me the vaccine, and then she grabbed the gauze that was already in her hand and wiped the blood that came out, and it was not a limited point, but came out clearly, and then I noticed that she was not wearing medical gloves at all, and then she quickly put the medical tape. I left the place after she opened the curtain.

I have a concern since that day about the possibility of transmitting any of the dangerous viruses HIV, HCV, HBV in this way. There is no doubt that the needle is new and the piece of gauze and the bandage are new, but I fear that there was an invisible trace of blood on her hands from the previous patient, which moved successively to my gauze, and then the possibility of it entering the bloodstream at the injection point, even if my blood was coming outside, but she pressed the place with the piece of gauze, and when I removed the bandage later, I found the blood was distributed lightly on it even outside the white part that is usually

in the middle of it

I am married and have two daughters

Please clarify the following:

1. Is it possible to transmit any of the viruses HIV, HCV, HBV by this way

2. Do I need any blood tests

3. Is there anyone in the world who has been infected in this way by any of these three viruses

4. Can I go back to having normal relation with my wife without any fear

Thanks

Edward W. Hook M.D.

36 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment. Your description accurately describes the mechanism by which vaccine clinics have operated for some time with the exception of the fact that your nurse was not wearing gloves. The fact that she was not wearing gloves however poses no risk to you - health care providers are recommended to wear gloves in order to protect themselves, not their patients. Further, the scenario you describe, contaminating a sterile gauze (or, for that matter, using a gauze pad which has been used on another patient) is not known to pose a risk for transmission of HIV or hepatitis viruses. These viruses virtually immediately become non-infectious on exposure to the environment and adhere to fibers which make up the gauze pad, preventing transfer on to others is the situation you describe. I would have no concerns about the events you describe. Thus, in answer to your specific questions:

1. No, there is no risk of infection from the event you describe'

2. No, there is no need for testing.

3. Not that I am aware of

4. No, there is no need to abstain from unprotected sexual contact with your wife.

I hope this information is helpful. Please don't worry. EWH

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36 months ago

Some rushes in shoulder and back concern me regarding HIV, is it possible for rushes to explode without any other symptoms

Edward W. Hook M.D.

36 months ago

I believe you mean you are experiencing a rash in your shoulder. A shoulder rash is not in any way suggestive of HIV. My assessment is unchanged. EWH---

36 months ago

Thanks a lot Doctor

36 months ago

Hello Dr. Hook: my last question, I was under impact of Betamethasone injections (Diprofos) as follow: Theoretical HIV risk on 5-7-22

First Diprofos injection on 14-7-22 , Second Diprofos injection on 28-7-22, Duo Test in lab: 16-8-22 , Now is this test conclusive after 6 weeks considering Diprofos, many thanks