Got pricked by Hepatitis C 17gauge Ne

[gloh184]

Hi. I am a dialysis nurse in an acute hospital. One day i was starting a dialysis for a Hepatitis C positive patient. As i was cannulating the fistula, the patient moved and the needle punctured through other side of fistula and got pricked on my thumb.

. I was freaking out as i saw my own blood in my glove and i couldnt leave the patient and took sometime to secure the needle before washing my pricked site. After a few minutes i ran to the sink and squeezed out blood as much as i can under running water and washed my hand with soup. After washing the pricked site, my pricked wound was still bleeding. I wrapped it with gauze and went ER. Now i have to follow up on my blood test up to 6months. The first test i took in ER after the incident came out all Negative. But i know it doesn't mean anything yet. I can't sleep well or eat well since this thing happened. Helpp.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Please discuss your concerns with your health care provider. Anxiety that interferes with sleeping and eating isn't healthy. Best wishes.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Per the TOS, we can't give you medical advice. You need to address any concerns with your PCP or employee occupational health.

While you're waiting, you need to take care of yourself. What's done is done: you can't unstick yourself. But don't let stressing over this make you neglect your health and sanity to the point that it's detrimental.

Fortunately, the rate of transmission of disease by needlestick is small, especially if you received prompt medical care as you have. The odds may not be zero but they are in your favor...though I know that's small comfort when you're on the wrong end of the needle.

Best of luck.