Question 1

dr accidentally re-used a thermometer without the plastic cover (noticed afterward), it this a risk for hiv transmission?? oral thermometer

Accepted Answer

No risk, no worry: HIV is not transmitted by oral contact. For example, kissing carries no risk, and neither does oral sex (or so little that there are no proved cases of HIV transmission mouth to penis). So even if a previous patient using the thermometer had HIV, you would not be at risk. Maybe very small risk for more common viruses, like colds and influenza. But not HIV.

Question 2

dr accidentally put thermometer in my mouth without plastic cover (he noticed afterwards) because the one he meant to put fell off, can i get sick?

Accepted Answer

Uncapped thermometer: Highly unlikely, bugs as  HIV, hep C, herpes ( cold sores)  die  quickly when exposed to dry air  Likely,would have died in the interim between patients. On top of that  it is likely it was clean before it was put in your mouth because the cap was on for others,  and the third layer is our immune system is efficient against bacteria, they are all around us from sneezes ,cough. Do not worry.

Question 3

dear drs, while shopping today i got a small cut by plastic cover on one of the items on one finger nail cuticle that bled a little. i wiped it with alcohol.  this place is busy due to holiday season. any risk for hiv or hep? do i need testing?

Accepted Answer

No: HIV or Hep B/C cannot be transmitted in above presented scenario. Skin or soft tissue infections remain possible and watching the wound until healed is recommended.

Question 4

will having a plastic bed cover only encourage my child to wet the bed more?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Bedwetting is, in my opinion, about as stressful for the child as it is for the parent. So, the child would likely not see the plastic as an "excuse" to wet the bed.

Question 5

i accidentally swallowed a small piece of plastic pen cover

Accepted Answer

No harm will come: It will not cause any harm.The plastic piece will be excreted in the feces sooner or later.

Question 6

i was chewing on a plastic dvd cover and i think that i swallowed a small piece of it and i got stuck in my throat ?

Accepted Answer

Go to ER: for evaluation, lungs imaging and retrieval of the foreign body. Do not procrastinate to avoid future complications. Good luck.

Question 7

put cream on dry feet and covered with plastic. now have light patches of black "mold" on soles  of feet. how to clear it?

Accepted Answer

Discoloration: 1. Discontinue the cream and do not cover with plastic 
2. Soak feet once a day in warm water with liquid Dial soap for 10-15 minutes
3. Pat dry and apply a urea based moisturizing cream, like Eucerin which is over-the-counter, to feet twice a day. 
4. Repeat daily and discoloration should resolve in 7-10days

Question 8

hit in eye with cover from plastic sports bottle. very watery, stinging and painful, red, swollen, blurred vision unsure if this due to watery eye?

Accepted Answer

Eye trauma: you should have eye examined by doctor to be sure you dont have a corneal abrasion

Question 9

does medical insurance cover any type of plastic surgey?

Accepted Answer

Of course: Insurance makes a distinction between cosmetic surgery and reconstruction.  They will cover the latter but rarely cosmetic.  For instance they will cover the reconstruction which is largely cosmetic, for women who lose a breast from cancer.  They will cover injuries, and congenital anomalies which might require plastic surgical reconstruction.

Question 10

microwaved a food in a plastic microwave safe container and the container cover changed shape, however i ate the food. am i gonna be okay?

Accepted Answer

YES: the change was more likely than not due to pressure from the contents of the container and no contamination of the contents occurred ...hope this is helpful!

Dr Z

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Doctor answers about:

Plastic cover

A member asked:

Dr accidentally re-used a thermometer without the plastic cover (noticed afterward), it this a risk for hiv transmission?? oral thermometer

A member asked:

Dr accidentally put thermometer in my mouth without plastic cover (he noticed afterwards) because the one he meant to put fell off, can i get sick?

A member asked:

Dear drs, while shopping today i got a small cut by plastic cover on one of the items on one finger nail cuticle that bled a little. i wiped it with alcohol. this place is busy due to holiday season. any risk for hiv or hep? do i need testing?

A member asked:

Will having a plastic bed cover only encourage my child to wet the bed more?

A member asked:

I accidentally swallowed a small piece of plastic pen cover

A member asked:

I was chewing on a plastic dvd cover and i think that i swallowed a small piece of it and i got stuck in my throat ?

A member asked:

Put cream on dry feet and covered with plastic. now have light patches of black "mold" on soles of feet. how to clear it?

A member asked:

Hit in eye with cover from plastic sports bottle. very watery, stinging and painful, red, swollen, blurred vision unsure if this due to watery eye?

A member asked:

Does medical insurance cover any type of plastic surgey?

A member asked:

Microwaved a food in a plastic microwave safe container and the container cover changed shape, however i ate the food. am i gonna be okay?

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