I Contracted HIV

Published

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.

Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

(((Sarah)) that's a lot to have on your shoulders at such a young age, and it's just not fair. No advice- just hugs. We're here for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Not directed at the OP, but the risk of sero-conversion to HIV after needle stick injury from an HIV positive patient is extremely low: 0.3%.

A good article on point from the NE Jrnl of Med:

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/337/21/1485

"The average risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after percutaneous exposure to HIV-infected blood is 0.3 percent, but the factors that influence this risk are not well understood."

Specifically:

http://www.heart-intl.net/HEART/030305/HIVandthehealthcare.htm

As of 1996, out of 2042 needle exposures with HIV infected blood, 6 people were known to have sero-converted, for a rate of sero-conversion after direct exposure of 1/300, or 0.29%

In the first cited article, by the NEJM: "After controlling for other factors associated with the risk of HIV transmission, our model indicated that the odds of HIV infection among health care workers who took zidovudine prophylactically after exposure were reduced by approximately 81 percent."

That would further mediate the risk to less than 1/500.

In the main, risk of HIV transmission from needle exposure is rare, and risk from non-needle exposure for health care workers is even MORE rare as HIV does not survive very well outside the body:

http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/december/answer98.html

"Although HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) can live outside the body for a few hours in certain body fluids, it cannot function when dry."

How common is HIV transmission to health care workers in the workplace? Very rare. HIV was first discovered in 1981. 20 yrs later, as of 2001, there were 57 total documented cases of seroconversion by health care workers as a result of job related exposure, according to the CDC:

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/hcwprev.htm

"As of December 2001, occupational exposure to HIV has resulted in 57 documented cases of HIV seroconversion among healthcare personnel (HCP) in the United States."

(The 2nd article I linked suggested that about 40% of those exposures were nurses, about 25% lab techs, and the rest distributed throughout the rest of health care, generally. So, about 22-24 total sero-conversions by workplace exposures to nurses, in 20 yrs.)

Can it happen? Of course: this is a thread on point. But. ~24 nurses out of >3 million nurses over a 20 yr time span equals: rare.

THE POINT is that such a transmission is very rare. I'm not commenting about the OP. My point is aimed at all those other new (and not new) nurses and students: be careful, but there is no need to be paranoid.

~faith,

Timothy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

((((Sarah)))) so sorry

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry this has happened to you.

Thanks for sharing your story, to remind us not only that, rare though it may be, this is still a possibility. We need to protect ourselves; and when we *do* receive a needle stick or other injury on the job, we need to complete the appropriate follow up in regards to paperwork AND testing.

You are in my thoughts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Trauma.

I am so very sorry, although that seems so inadequate to say. I am sending you hugs and prayers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As everyone else has said - I am so sorry this has happened to you. I wish I had something brillant to say that would take away your pain, but I dont. Take time to grieve but dont forget to get back up on the horse again! As others have stated, medicine has come a long way - please try to keep a positive attitude & your chin up. {{God bless}}:flwrhrts:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Peds, OB, L/D, Ortho.

I am sorry to hear this...my heart goes out to you. I also caught a bug at work.....hep c.....Stay positive, take care of yourself and live your life! There are new treatments comming out all the time! God bless!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

Sarah-

Your post brought tears to my eyes. My heart goes out to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Sorry that this happened to you Sarah.

Some one mentioned the facilities financial responsibility so this questions goes toward that. It may also prevent others from getting injured as well. So if I may what in the IV catheters safety system failed to allow you to get stuck?

Rj

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. As others have said your dream of becoming a mother need not go to waste. There are MANY children of all ages who want a family so badly, some of them HIV+ themselves, and can't be adopted because they are seen as "damaged". You could be an answer to a prayer for some child who wants a family who can see him/her for a beautiful, loving child and not just the disease he/she has.

Please take care of yourself, and don't let yourself believe that this diagnosis means you have to give up your dreams. There's always a way; it's just that sometimes you have to take a detour.

Your in My Prayers,

Chancie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hi Sarah,

I'm so sorry, keep your faith and I will keep you in my prayers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, LTC, ICU.

My heart goes out to you.!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion