Could an HIV + blood soaked sponge protect & shield the virus to live longer & if so how long ?

Question

Working in an operating room & come in contact with dumped blood soaked sponges used in surgery to wipe off blood . Still we use gloves in handling them, but should mistake happens on an open wound, so i need to know.

Answer 1

HIV is a fragile virus and does not live long outside the body.
The length of time HIV can survive outside the body depends on:
•the amount of HIV present in the body fluid;
•what conditions the fluid is subjected to
Air does not "kill" HIV, but exposure to air dries the fluid that contains the virus, and that will destroy or break up much of the virus very quickly. The CDC reports that drying HIV reduces viral amount by 90-99% within several hours.
If the virus is in a soaked sponge, without drying, and an open wound it exposed to it, there is a chance of contraction. We know the virus is not transmitted except during unprotected sex, sharing needles, or through significant and direct exposure to infected blood. So from one healthcare professional to another… please be careful.

Answer 2

These should be disposed of into Bio-hazard containers that should placed strategically in the OR. If you feel you were compromised by having an exposed open wound, you should report this to your Spvr ASAP so they can file an incident report. They should know the proper protocol for follow-up. If the blood is still wet it can pose a serious problem. If you are unsure about these kinds of issues regarding your job please talk to your supervisor , Better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 3

I would report this at work as a potential exposure. They will then do several testings to make sure you are alright. I know that HIV is only supposed to live 11 seconds on a surface, but things like hep c can live for up to forty eight hours! So that is the one I would worry about. Good luck and call to report this at work as a potential exposure.

Answer 4

aids doesnt live long outside the body. but get tested if you had an open wound that came in contact with the sponge.