Can you cut yourself with a needle and not feel it?

[onthewheytoRN]

I am a student, and I had the opportunity to do several blood draws in my clinical the other day. When I got home I noticed a small cut, which looks like a paper cut, on one of my fingers. Normally, I wouldn't worry about it at all, but I was working with HIV/AIDS patients. I do not recall sticking/cutting myself, and I was of course wearing gloves during all blood draws. I guess I know I am probably fine, but is it possible to cut yourself with a butterfly needle through a glove without feeling/noticing it?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Not normally

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Anything is possible i suppose.

[canigraduate]

Unless you were juggling needles without looking, the answer is 99.999% no.

Even if you cut your finger, if it doesn't reach any blood vessels, there won't be any contamination. Also, there's only like a 2% conversion for needlesticks, and that's from contaminated needles that go in far enough to feel it.

If you're really worried about it, let your CI know so you can go through the process to get tested. Peace of mind is worth it.

[onthewheytoRN]

Thank you. Honestly, your post has given me some peace of mind. The cut was surface level and didn't bleed, so it should be fine. I kind of already knew it probably wasn't really an issue. I think I just needed to hear it from someone else. I just kept second guessing myself.