Hey there! So, I recently had a bit of a mishap while doing an anal swab on a patient being treated for syphilis. As I was putting the swab in the vial, some of the testing solution splashed into my eye. Yikes! But, don’t worry, I took immediate action by washing my eyes with Normal Saline (NS).
## Potential Risks and Next Steps
### Risks of Exposure
Since the patient you were treating has syphilis, there is a potential risk of exposure to the infection. It’s important to take this incident seriously and follow appropriate protocols.
### Recommended Actions
– Get in touch with your healthcare provider or employee health services immediately.
– Explain the situation in detail, including the patient’s medical history and the exposure incident.
– Discuss the need for any follow-up testing or preventative measures.
### Precautionary Measures
– Monitor yourself for any symptoms of syphilis, such as rash or fever.
– Consider getting tested for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections to ensure your safety.
### Additional Considerations
Given your demographic information and lack of medical issues or medications, it’s important to still take this incident seriously and seek professional guidance.
## Conclusion
Remember, your safety is a top priority in healthcare settings. It’s always better to be proactive in situations like these to ensure your well-being. Stay safe and take care! 💉👩⚕️
(Note: This response is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult with a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.)
Your employer should have a blood borne/bodily fluids exposure procedure. Tell your supervisor immediately and they will initiate the process. It may involve testing and/or prophylaxis meds.
Depends on if there was a lesion with syphilis where the test was done etc.
But it doesnt hurt to get a Prophylaxsis dose of doxycycline. The medicine is very well tolerated and is used for general Chlamydia infections etc etc
Your employer will have a plan for exactly this scenario. Report it to them and follow the procedure.
You’ll probably need prophylactic treatment of Bicillin (preferably, if it isn’t in a shortage in your area) or Doxy.
Did they have a lesion present on the anus? I am curious why you were swabbing. In my public health clinic, we just do an RPR with reflex to TPPA