Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
Ask the Experts about Workplace and Insurance Issues
Panic Attack: Possible Contact With A Customer's Blood
Mar 1, 2006
I work at a Movie Rental store and I found a stolen movie that I had no idea had blood on it until I was told by one of my co-workers who noticed it on the movie. I received a tiny cut earlier this week in the palm of my hand, before this incident but it wasn't bleeding during the incident. I immediately wash my hands with soap and water. My question is could I be at risk of getting a disease and how long does it take for blood to dry on an item? Thanks for you help
Response from Ms. Breuer
Yuck. Unpleasant, but not a risk for HIV. HIV deteriorates as soon as it hits oxygen.
If your cut had been open and fresh, there would have been a small risk of exposure to hepatitis B, which likes dried blood just fine, thank you. But it would have taken moisture (your fresh blood) and direct access to your open wound (which wasn't open anymore) to expose you to hepatitis B.
Good news. You've only been exposed to a thoughtless slob movie-user.
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
