I Contracted HIV

[sarahwv]

I came here to post because I've just felt very sad for the last few days. I graduated in May 2008 and started in the ER at a local hospital. In October I was trying to start an IV on a man who came in and accidently pricked myself! We started all the usual protocol for this type of event as soon as it happened. I continued to be tested, but this Tuesday I got a call from the doc to come in. I'm now HIV+. I know its not the end of the world with all the advance they've made and what not, but I'm still very sad...especially since I've always dreamed of being a mother to many children. This may also affect my work. I've been on approved leave since finding out. Just had to vent about this guys. Thanks.

[pretty2pretty]

so sorry dear, this is somthing you will over come, god is with you and god bless your soul:redbeathe

[xlilchatonx]

]I agree with everyone else's advice and suggestions.

I offer you my sympathies and you will survive this

I know that may be hard to believe now and I would imagine that you're overwhelmed right now, I know that I would be, if it's not a false negative, does your hospital offer counseling? You may not need it, but if you're like me, I would want it regardless.

[rehab3]

my last year as a nursing student, i pricked myself accidentally with a glucometer needle. this was after i took the guy's blood glucose with it. i checked his PMH in the chart for hiv or related conditions and there was nothing. i never reported this. I was embarassed for being so careless and wanted to hide this happened. but ever since it is something that worries me and keeps me up at night. i know i need to get tested. i am so afriad of the results. Sarah, you said you had multiple HIV tests, how many did it take to find out you were HIV positive?

As quickly as possible tell someone that can direct you in the appropriate path and get tested. You can only fight something you know for sure. Sarah has been very brave in telling us and pointing out that nursing is a dangerous profession and always has been. We all have had close calls of one kind or another--learning from our mistakes and moving on is healthy. Most of us don't have lingering effects of our errors. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Rehab3

[anniemm]

Sara, I am very sorry to hear your news. I will keep you prayers.

Anna

[mpedigo1]

Sarah,

I prayed for you and will continue to do so. May you find comfort and refuge in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas! I am so sorry for your misfortune...I know my words can't help much....

May you be surrounded with family, friends, and co-workers who will support you and love you throughout your difficult journey. May your load be lightened and your burden seem bearable. May you have the opportunity to accomplish many of your dreams and desires through God's divine grace and mercy...and human perseverance.

May God bless you.

Thank you for sharing such a difficult and personal experience....

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

All the best to you. There is not much that one can say to make it any less painful, but know that you always can come here for support.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

I haven't read all the replies, but Sarah...I am so, SO sorry. I feel for you, and even though I don't *know* you, I will pray for you!

I've had to do the routine testing (found out after my shoulder surgery that one of the instruments was contaminated! Unreal!), but came out lucky in the end. I am so sorry the result for you was not so lucky. Please lean on whoever you can right now, and try to keep the faith.

Best wishes.

[LuvofNursing, BSN, MSN, RN]

All of us appreciate your bravery in sharing your story. it is quite a wake up call for all of us, from those who have just graduated to those who have been in nursing for years.

We can never be too careful.

Always stay positive and use this experience to take advantage of all of the beautiful and fulfilling things that we come across everyday and do not stop to enjoy.

Stay strong.

Love,

Trina

[MIcrunchyRN]

I'm so sorry... You can still have children with HIV and it shouldn't affect your job any. Standard precautions work both ways.

(((HUGS)))

[Blonde Nurse]

I feel so very, very bad for you and understand to some small degree what you're going through. I'd worked as a med nurse for about 15 years, had always been SO careful, then, one day while helping another nurse change the hospital rooms "dirty needle containers" she handed me a container with a needle sticking out the bottom (yes, it punctured the plastic). The dirty needle went directly into my right hand, pierced the skin and I began to bleed at the site. I will never forget the terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach! I got a call the next day, offering me "support" from the administrative level and very soon afterwards, the hospital changed the type of needle recepticals used. (Wonder why?!) I went on to become a RN (from LPN) but of course, still gave meds and will always, always remember how I felt over that incident. I will be praying for you, Honey. As other repliers have said, HIV research is on the cutting edge of medicine. Good luck.

[NewTexasRN]

I am sooooooo sorry! You will be in prayers.

[picurn10]

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I didn't read all of the replies, but I just wanted you to know that it's quite possible to have children biologically without infecting them. In fact, it's something like a 1% chance of infection if you're on the right meds. Not only that most babies who do contract HIV seroconvert in the first 18mo to HIV negative (I'm planning on adopting an HIV postive child in the next couple of years) Anyway, I just wanted to give you a little hope. Not only that some of the leading HIV researchers expect to have a vaccine in the next 5-10 yrs that will be effective in clearing the virus from the body of an infected person, so please don't feel hopeless. I'm sure this has got to be tough, but it's not a death sentance, it's not a relationship destroyer, and it's not an end to your hopes of motherhood:redpinkhe