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A 23-year-old female asked:

I am a nurse, i injected a patient with nur-isterate and had a needle prick on my finger. the patient tested negative. the prick was not deep but a little blood came out when i pressed my finger. i would like to know if i should start pep treatment?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Hunter Handsfield
Infectious Disease 55 years experience
Probably no PEP: If you're in US or other industrialized country, your workplace almost certainly has an infection control team (at least a nurse) and policies and they a) will want to know and b) will have the best advice for you. Contact them for direct advice. However, since the patient had a negative HIV test, you were not at risk and almost certainly should not take PEP. Hep B and C could be another mattter.
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Related questions

A 36-year-old male asked:
Stuck w/ drug needle of hiv+ friend in foot. not sure how deep it went or if was his blood was pushed in me, I was sleep. saw gp- said no pep needed??
Dr. John Chiu
Allergy and Immunology 59 years experience
Get tested: If you are uncertain on the extent of the exposure, it is best to get tested. The timing will depend on the type of tests used.
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A 24-year-old female asked:
Helped worker to take a plaster off finger that was covered in blood, with my fingers. Not sure if the worker has HIV. No deep cuts on my hands and did not touch the open wound. Is it necessary to take PEP?
Dr. Robert Kwok
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Some thoughts...: Life is full of risks. There is always some risk in anything a person does. Suppose every ungloved person who helps another (of unknown HIV status) ta... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old male asked:
I am a nurse ,I recently gave treatment to a rabies patient with naked hand. I have a problem of peeling of my finger cuticle. so I am afraid .
Dr. Jerome Litt
Dermatology 73 years experience
RABIES PATIENT: I DOUBT IF YOU CAN GET RABIES FROM TOUCHING A RABIES PATIENT. IN ANY CASE, CHECK IT WITH YOUR PCP. BEST LUCK
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A member asked:
I accidentally cut my finger with a knife on Monday while I was cooking. On Friday I came in contact with blood on the finger. The cut is not deep but it is open and healing. There was no blood from the cut. Can I PEP for this?
Dr. Hunter Handsfield
Infectious Disease 55 years experience
No risk, no worry: It isn't clear what you're asking. But even if you came into contact with someone else's blood, there's almost certainly no risk at all. No need for P... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dear doctor, I was playing cards with some friends, one of them is hiv positive, I assume he was never treated. He unintentionally scratched my finger, caused a small cut by my nail. Im not sure if theres blood on his nails, do I need PEP for hiv?
Dr. Silviu Pasniciuc
Internal Medicine 29 years experience
Above circumstances are highly unlikely to result in HIV transmission. Cdc.gov is a reliable site in learning more about HIV transmission.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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Last updated Nov 23, 2020

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