My stick was on March 1 of this year...as a student, nonetheless. I was working at a clinic in West Philadelphia. I, myself, have been taking injectible medications for several years, and I couldn't believe it happened, but...accidents happen...
I was taking a patient's blood sugar. They don't use safety lancets out there -- cheaper to use the white ones that are supposed to go in the pen, except we don't use the pen because of cross-contamination. So, I twisted the top off and stuck the patient. The glucometer came up as an error, so the patient was frustrated. The needle box was far away, and I went to pick up my supplies and the lancet went into my thumb...I was still wearing gloves.
Well...obviously I can't really get into all the details, patient history, etc. At any rate, I spent a month taking Combivir. I had my own preliminary screenings done, and I have been diligent about follow up testing. I haven't gotten the results of the 3 month check yet, but everything else has been in the clear.
In my case, the patient actually refused to retest. He said it was my fault, so why should he have to? Well in some ways, he is correct...but I wouldn't really put fault on it. Accidents happen. (Even though the trauma book I used said that there are no accidents...everything is preventable! MVA into MVC...whatever...)
An odd coincidence is that another student from my class had a needle stick there just a few months prior. He did not choose follow up with university health due to the circumstances of the situation. We both felt slightly crushed by the experience, but we bounced back okay in the long run.
I *hate* that I have to worry until the 6 month testing goes all the way through. Even though the risk of getting HIV from a needlestick is very low, and even lower for a lancet...that went through a glove..it still makes me worry a little at times. I have a very busy personal medical history, and about 7 days after the needlestick, I had sinus surgery. I was throwing up blood for about 5 hours after the surgery, and at one point my mom said, "I have to go wash my hands..." I realllllly don't like putting my loved ones in that position where they feel even a little nervous.
So...it happens! I talked to a LOT of people after that about their experiences. Almost everyone I talked to had a story about how they had a needlestick at some point. It helped me feel a great deal better! Hopefully that will help you, too. All we can do is learn from it... It's hard because you don't know how it happened. With mine, I do know...and I know the stick made me a lot more careful...even though I already was very careful about it!
Hang in there, and know that you are definitely not alone. If it had to happen, I'm glad it was with a good family and that you feel safe about it. That helps a LOT, I do think!!
Many Hugz,
Carrie
needle stick
Nursing News