Dear Barbara,

 

I think the chances of picking up anything are vanishingly small.  I
actually don't think she has any right to be nervous about this.  And I
think that asking an infectious diseases expert will just bring the answer
"stop breastfeeding".

 

Jack

 

  _____  

From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: October 20, 2008 6:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Subject: unusual situation

 

I just received a call from a rather frantic mom (gave me permission to
post) about an unusual situation.  She told me she was pumping a couple of
days ago in a shower stall at her work (temporary situation) when she
noticed a miniscule drop of blood on her finger.  Thinking it was her blood
she licked it.  She then realized, or I should say felt, it was not her
blood as it seemed "clotted", though bright red, and she could find no cuts
on her finger or elsewhere.  She had washed her hands before pumping, and
stated she'd only touched the door handle of the shower stall since washing.
Her concern is whether there is any possibility of disease transmission by
having the blood momentarily on her tongue/in her mouth (she said she washed
out her mouth within seconds of discovering it wasn't her blood).  She
stated she has no bleeding gums or open areas in her mouth.  She and a
friend returned later to the stall to try to find any source of blood and
found nothing additional.  

 

I assured her it was highly unlikely to be a cause of concern but couldn't
give false reassurance and would see what others say.  She gave the milk
she'd pumped to her baby the following day--there was no contamination of
her milk whatsoever.  Anyone care to comment? Any infectious disease
specialists or know of any who could offer input? Besides the obvious
concern of HIV, there are also other blood bourne illnesses that could be of
concern for a breastfeeding mother.  I know this mom well from home visits
and group and she and I joke about her nervousness about many things, but I
let her know she has every right to be anxious re this.   She and I
appreciate any and all information and responses.

 

Barbara Latterner, BSN, RN, IBCLC





  _____  

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