Hospital apologizes for poorly sterilized instrument, STD risk

In Virginia, several patients recovering from cataract surgery may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) during the medical procedure, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The Lexington Virginia Veterans Affairs Hospital told six community members that they had been operated on with a surgical tool that had not been sanitized. The hospital administered STD tests to the half dozen individuals who underwent the operation nine months ago, the newspaper said.

Among the potential infections transmitted by the tool were HIV and hepatitis B and C.

While the institution said that the risk of these infections is low, several of the patients told the news source that they were concerned that nearly a year had passed before they were informed.

The hospital has since issued a public apology.

Individuals who are worried that they have an STD may consider using online testing services to determine the state of their sexual health.

Sexual disease may be transmitted through non-sexual activities, ranging from kissing and sharing a toothbrush to medical errors like unsanitary instruments and needle pricks, Planned Parenthood reports.