help.im scared

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Got needle stick last night at work. I was giving insulin shot to a pt. known to have hep C, I'm always careful especially with him, i cannot explain what happen...it happened so fast. I ran to the sink and forced my index finger to bleed with soap and running water until it turned purple and got blistered.Fill out the paper works and went to see MD.Got blood works done as well as pt to see if he is pos for HIV,he has hx of drug abuse.I didn't sleep last night.I'm so scared!please help.I believe things happen for a reason.

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A large bore sharp with cells present would be the worst risk. A SC injection in fatty tissue is a nearly zero risk, although Hep C is an increased risk over HIV.

Somewhere on the net the occupational risk of transmission statistics are well published. Look for them.

Treat all sharps as you would a loaded weapon, eyes and mind singularly focused until secured.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Sorry you have this occur. Your immune system might do all the work while you do all the worrying. Hope everything turns out well for you.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Not quite the same thing, but I've jabbed myself several times over the years with a needle after giving one of my cat's his insulin injection and I'm still alive and healthy as is he.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

i'm sorry this happened to you, good luck

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I remember in my Microbiology class the instructor saying that it was more unlikely than most people think to transmit a disease through a needlestick accident. I hope that everything turns out for the best, good luck.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical - Care of adults.

Once you know the results of the lab tests that have been ordered, insist that someone knowledgeable with CDC recommendations discusses your risks and whether any sort of precautionary anitviral medications are indicated. In the interim, take a slow deep breath and realize that you don't know enough yet to know whether you need to worry about longterm effects of this incident. I know it sounds trite -- but don't borrow trouble from tomorrow.

Another point -- do everything through your hospital's department for handling on the job injuries. If they don't satisfy you, follow up with your primary care provider. If the hospital recommends medication, unless you have a solid reason not to take it -- take it for the full time prescribed. Hopefully a year from now it won't matter -- but if, God forbid, you caught something you want to be certain that the hospital and workman's comp insurance pays for all of the care you need. Don't burn that bridge without thinking long and hard first.

Best wishes. As another person has said, it's really uncommon for the needle used to give a subcu injection picks up enough of anything to transmit disease to the recipient of an accidental second stick.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
Got needle stick last night at work. I was giving insulin shot to a pt. known to have hep C, I'm always careful especially with him, i cannot explain what happen...it happened so fast. I ran to the sink and forced my index finger to bleed with soap and running water until it turned purple and got blistered.Fill out the paper works and went to see MD.Got blood works done as well as pt to see if he is pos for HIV,he has hx of drug abuse.I didn't sleep last night.I'm so scared!please help.I believe things happen for a reason.

Your risk is well below 1%...take heart in that while you are waiting for test results.

That means that there is over a 99% chance that things will be ok.

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Your risk is well below 1%.

Wish I had that 1% chance in the lotto! :smokin:

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I got stuck with subcu lovenox shot with an HIV positive patient. I do not have HIV :) I wouldn't worry too much honestly. But it is a little scary when it happens. You'll be okay!

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I did research on the topic for a school project and remember very vividly being convinced that the chances of contracting a disease from a single needlestick injury are very, very low. Hope your results come back negative.

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Hi guys,

Thank you so much for all the support and encouragement. I just got all my result today it all came negative. I haven't got the result for the pt yet.Still waiting for his result and i am sick because of the side effects of the pills.I will have my next MD appt. next month for another lab works. Thank you again guys. Hopefully everything will turnout OK for the next year to come. I was thinking to change career,but i love my job.

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