The Basics
Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate � �
What should I know about blood and body fluid exposure? " � Blood and other body fluids (such as saliva or urine) carry viruses and bacteria that could infect you if you are exposed to them. This is most often a problem for people who work in hospitals or other healthcare settings. The most serious infections to be aware of include HIV and hepatitis B and C. � �
How do I know if I have been "exposed " � in a way that could infect me? " � Contact with blood, tissue, or other body fluids from an infected person can be risky if it involves: � �
- A needlestick or a sharp object that breaks the skin
- Contact with the pink, moist tissues called "mucous membranes " � that line your mouth, nose, eyes, and other body parts
- Contact with parts of your skin that have cuts or scrapes that are still bleeding
- Contact with concentrated forms of a virus, such as you would find in a research lab
Not all body fluids are equally dangerous. In general, blood has more viruses than other body fluids. � �
What if I got blood or other fluids on my skin? " � Healthy skin is actually very good at protecting you from infection. Even so, if you get blood or body fluids on your skin, you should wash the area that was exposed with soap and water. If you have any cuts or scrapes on your skin, you should also use alcohol or another disinfectant on those parts of your skin after youre done washing. � �
What if I got blood or other fluids in my mouth, nose, or eyes? " � If you got blood or body fluids in your mouth or nose, you should rinse with lots and lots of water. If you got blood or body fluids in your eyes, you should rinse with water or a saltwater solution called "saline. " � � �
What if I was stuck by a needle? " � If your exposure involved something that broke the skin, such as a needle, you should wash with soap and water and use a disinfectant. But you should not squeeze or pinch the area to try to get anything out. This goes for a needlestick or for a cut with a surgical tool. � �
Who should I talk to? " � Any time you are exposed to blood or body fluids at work, you should talk to your boss or someone in the human resources "occupational health department " � of your job. You might need to fill out a report, and you will probably need to see a doctor. If you cannot speak to someone at work right away, or if this happened outside of work, call your own doctor right away. � �
What will the doctor do? " � The doctor will test your own blood to see if you already have any infections that you were not aware of before. He or she will also get as many details as possible about the type of exposure you had. For example, if you had a needlestick, the doctor will ask you: � �
- If you know the size of the needle
- If you bled after the needlestick
- If you could see blood in the needle or syringe before it stuck you
The doctor will also try to identify the patient whose blood or fluids you were exposed to. That way, the doctor can try to find out if the patient has any known infections, such as HIV. If the patient has never been tested for HIV or hepatitis, the patient will be asked if he or she is willing to be tested. Testing the patient can help the doctor figure out which treatments you might need. For example, if a test shows that the patient does not have HIV, then you do not need any preventive treatment for HIV. � �
The doctor will also explain how likely it is that you could get infected, based on the type of exposure you had. For example, a needlestick from a needle that was used on a person with hepatitis C would be of much more concern than a splash of urine on your skin from the same person. � �
What if I am pregnant? " � If you are pregnant or there is any chance that you could be pregnant, make sure you tell the doctor. If you are pregnant, your exposure might need to be handled differently than it would be otherwise. � �
What if I might have been exposed to HIV? " � If you were definitely or possibly exposed to HIV, the doctor can give you the option of taking medicines to reduce the chance that you will get infected with HIV. These are the same medicines that are used to treat HIV. If you decide to take these medicines, you will need to start them as soon as possible and take them for a month. You will probably have to take 2 to 3 different pills. Talk to the doctor about the risks and benefits of these medicines for you. � �
What if I might have been exposed to hepatitis B? " � If you were definitely or possibly exposed to hepatitis B, the doctor will want to know if and when you had the hepatitis B vaccine. The treatment you need will depend on whether you had the vaccine and on how your body responded to it. � �
- If you had the hepatitis B vaccine, the doctor might run a blood test to find out how well your body responded to the vaccine. If your blood tests show good protection, you will not need any other treatment to prevent hepatitis B.
- If you got the hepatitis B vaccine in the past, but you do not have good protection, you will need to get the vaccine again. Sometimes the levels of protection can go down over time. But a simple booster shot can bring protection back up. You might also need a shot of a medicine called "hepatitis B immune globulin. " � This medicine can help prevent hepatitis B infection.
- If you never got the hepatitis B vaccine, now is a good time to get it. It can still protect you from infection, even after exposure. Plus, you should get any other vaccine you might be missing, such as a tetanus vaccine. This way you will be fully protected in the future.
What if I might have been exposed to hepatitis C? " � If you were definitely or possibly exposed to hepatitis C, it's important to see the doctor to find out more about your risk. There is no vaccine or medicine to prevent hepatitis C infection. But the doctor can help you by watching you closely for the first signs of infection. If you become infected with hepatitis C, there is a good chance your body will fight off the infection on its own. But if not, rapid treatment with certain medicines can cure most hepatitis C infections when they are new. � �
What happens in the weeks after a blood or body fluid exposure? " � The doctor will test you again to see if you got the infection or infections he or she is worried about. These tests will be done at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after exposure. If it turns out you did get any of these infections, there are treatments you can get. � �
In the weeks after your exposure, look for symptoms of HIV infection, such as: � �
- Fever
- Swollen glands
- Sore throat
- Sores in your mouth, penis, anus, or vagina
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headache
- Weight loss
Also look for symptoms of hepatitis, which include: � �
- Belly pain on the right side
- Nausea or vomiting
- Feeling tired
- Loss of appetite
- Eyes turning yellow
- Diarrhea
If you notice any symptoms that worry you, call the doctor. � �
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 16273 Version 4.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.206 � �
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