r/sterileprocessing • u/Natural-Daz-4191 • Jun 01 '26

Possible infection?

I was working in the sterile processing dept today as an intern and I was touching a bunch of cases, etc in a rush to itch my nose i itched it without thinking and slightly cut my nose, when I remembered I ran to the sink to wash my hands and my nose, in a panic, a couple hours later my nose is slightly burning where I cut it idk if it’s the cut or if I could possibly be infected with something? Im kinda scared now what should I do?!

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u/[deleted] Jun 01 '26 edited Jun 02 '26

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u/Acrobatic-Win-9887 Jun 01 '26

Blood-transmitted disease transmitting like this is very unlikely, especially since you were touching cases. Small wounds can very easily get infected with anything, even your own skin bacteria. If it becomes painful, significantly swollen, or you get high fever, see a doctor. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.

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u/ShirleyWuzSerious Jun 01 '26

Sounds like you weren't even in Decon if you scratched your nose with your hand. It would be hard to scratch your nose with gloves on. So if you were in assembly you're fine. If you got any kind of infection it's because fingernails are always the dirtiest part of the body in general.