Im a student nurse and im paranoid about getting HIV from my patients. I know the risk is none to very low...but I cant stop thinking about it...like last week I had to change the bed of an HIV patient...the bed was full with blood and even though I used a gown and double gloves am paranoid that I have HIV now...can I get it....if not why am I so anxious and cant wait to get tested...Why is this??? Please help....
2007-12-12 04:07:59 · 7 answers · asked by ClaiReBear 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
in my head am like...oh my god what if something got in my eye or mouth....argh
2007-12-12 04:33:08 · update #1
it is a common affliction of student nurses....they either think they have or will have the illnesses they deal with in the hospitals. Over time you get over it. If you skin is intact, and you wore gloves and gown you know you cannot have contracted HIV. It takes a needle stick or sexual contact with one infected. So, do try to relax and keep telling yourself the facts associated with the disease.
2007-12-12 04:14:56 · answer #1 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since you seem to have all of the universal precautions down, I think it's safe to say that you'll be fine. I would like to say the same for the patient you were taking care of. If you are truly that paranoid, your attitude has to show in some way to your patients. being a nurse is many times a thankless job. You have to go into that field and be willing to be selfless or for the time that your on duty. Question for you, How do you know that your coworkers, family members or maybe a friend or two aren't HIV+ and they can't tell you because of your paranoia?
2007-12-12 04:46:41 · answer #2 · answered by Empyreal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it makes you feel more comfortable you can get tested regularly for it. Stay clean. Keep your gloves on, etc... just take extra care when you are cleaning up after HIV patients.
2007-12-12 04:13:46 · answer #3 · answered by squishie bug 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
risk of hep b from an occupational exposure- 13%
risk of hep c from an occupational exposure- 6%
risk of hiv from an occupational exposure- <1%
-OSHA- 2000
you are more at risk for hepatitis than hiv. unfortunately, hiv gets a lot of air-time; and is the current "boogie man" of infectious disease.
as long as you practice standard precautions, you will be fine.
2007-12-12 05:08:53 · answer #4 · answered by tish 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont worry your just scared and a little paranoid....HIV is a sexually transmitted disease, if u are well protected and barely touch the blood then you probably wont get it....you can get tested and then you will know that no you dont have it and that you are fine also
2007-12-12 04:13:23 · answer #5 · answered by sarah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to finish yor nursing school- because you don't know much about the transmission of such diseases. Do you think you can get it from the toilet seat too?
Maybe you should choose a new profession-nursing doesn't seem like a good fit!
2007-12-12 04:27:59 · answer #6 · answered by sticky nikki 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Talk with you teachers and staff at the school they are trained to answer these questions. That is why you are a student to educate yourself.
2007-12-12 04:14:42 · answer #7 · answered by David F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋