Stuck with the HIV patient needle

Genista, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2000

Toots-My heart goes out to you! Though I am not in the same boat (knock on wood), I hope you will find this link helpful ( a nurse who has contracted HIV via needlestick)

http://home.att.net/~lisa.rn/index.htm

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

~Kona

Toots · Jun 12, 2000

Originally posted by kona2:
Toots-My heart goes out to you! Though I am not in the same boat (knock on wood), I hope you will find this link helpful ( a nurse who has contracted HIV via needlestick)
http://home.att.net/~lisa.rn/index.htm

My thoughts and prayers are with you.
~Kona

Thanks for the link - wound up with a very informative CDC publication on Exposure to Blood, What Health Care Workers Need to Know. Will be bringing it to my hospital on my follow-up and ask that it be given to every hhw who suffers a needlestick. Meanwhile these meds are making me SICK AS A DOG - but considering the alternative guess I will suffer. Thanks again.

brejean · Jun 15, 2000

Originally posted by Toots:
Interested in other nurses experience with HIV drugs after a stick with a contaminated HIV needle. Stuck last night, on the HIV drugs with minimal information on the side effects, risks, etc. Have you taken them? Would you do it again?

Toots, I have been there and done that, and yes would do it again. This past September was my year end. I was stuck with a needle from a HIV+Hep C inmate . I was started on DDI, Zerit and Viracept...15 pills a day and then some to counteract the side effects. Our dr. at the prison I work at is in contact with San Francisco alot and I had taken my first dose within 3o minutes of the stick. I knew the side effects, I do the HIV clinic there and educate the guys on the meds, but I also knew that I had just had a large bore needle that was directly from a HIV+ person's vein go thru a vein in the top of my hand. To me there were no other choices. Having survived a very long and emotional rollercoaster year, I want you to know that I am here if you need someone to talk to, talk at, yell and scream, cry to/with or just need the extra support. Brenda

Nancy1 · Jun 30, 2000

Toots, I hope this incident will make your facility realize they need to be proactive. I was at the ANA convention this past week and there were 2 companies there with needles that are improved to prevent? at least reduce the risk of needle sticks. With the current technology this should not be happening. Good luck. NA