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.

Prayers are with you.

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Oh Sarah, my heart just broke for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Be well:redbeathe

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im very sorry to hear that. i am deeply sad with your story.

I am also a nurse in the philippines and I usually prick myself

with the syringe used in foley catheter for the balloon.

I had pricked myself 3 times. and now. I think I dont want to

handle needles anymore.

Is it safe to be pricked by that? the one being used for making a ballloon in the foley catheter?

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I will keep you in my prayers...just believe God is a healer..he can heal you, since you were doing something great. I will ask for others to pray for you.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, SICU, CCU, ER, RN Paralegal.

Sarah, sorry to hear your news. Stay positive and focused. My best friend was diagnosed as HIV+ in 1984 (that is the correct year!). He has been totally compliant with his treatment and it has really paid off. His T cells are normal, viral load is non-detectable, he works full time and feels good. The nurse practitioner he sees is HIV+ as well, and he is also doing fine. Get yourself an Infectious Disease doc with HIV experience. Also, if there's one in your area, contact your local HIV/AIDS task force. My prayers are with you.

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a very good friend of mine contracted hiv last year so i have done alot of research on this disease. you can have kids that are hiv free - don't lose hope! most people these days with hiv live a normal life span and are healthy as long as they learn to eat healthy and take good care of themselves.

hiv is no worse then any other auto-immune disease that can't be cured - like asthma for example. it is just something you have to learn to live with, it is not a death sentence! many, many advances have been made with this disease and it is not as bad as it was when it was first discovered. look at magic johnson! he was diagnosed years ago, yet his wife is still free of the disease and he is healthy!

so my advice is be positive! yes it is a terrible diagnosis, but these days it is something that many, many people have learned to live with and you never know......i keep seeing articles all the time about possible vaccinations and treatments.

everything happens for a reason ~ this will make you a stronger person if you refuse to let it control your life. that said, it is still a good idea to keep the disease to yourself and not tell anyone that doesn't need to know ~ it will just make life easier for you.

hang in there and remember...think positive! :wink2:

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Specializes in Women's health, Ped's, clinical trials.

Sweetie,

I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you!

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
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?

Like everyone else, I'm sorry for Sarah having to go through this trial, and very hopeful she will have a long, healthy life. I feel the same for you, and while I can understand your concerns, please do get tested, ASAP. There's a very good chance you wouldn't have gotten infected, even if the pt was known positive. So getting tested will probably relieve your anxiety. But if you do test positive, it's so important to find out sooner than later.

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Specializes in ER, Peds ER.

My heart goes out to you. I've had an HIV scared due to a needle stick before and that was horrifying. Lucky for me the patients test turned out to be a false positive. Keep your head, it's not the end of the world. With modern medicine plenty of HIV+ patients are living perfectly normal lives.

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Specializes in Trama, Ortho, ICU, PCU.

I am so sorry to hear about this... But it sounds like you are trying to think positive. And that can go a long way. God bless you.

What are you doing now? I know that you said you are taking some time off. Have they suggested any therapy or anything like that?

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Sarah, i am sorry to hear your mishap. My heart goes out to you. Like somebody else mentioned earlier, try to get the hospital involved and accept full financial responsibility, maybe consult a lawyer and keep tabs (document) everything.

I dunno much, i am taking my pre-reqs for nursing and i just finished MicroBio, but just try to build up and support your immune system with everything you can and exercise. Look up VitaminShoppe for a variety of supplements, eat healthy...

God Bless you, Sarah!

Doug

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Specializes in Neuro-Surgery, Med-Surg, Home Health.

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As a fellow human being and as a fellow nurse I am so sorry.

I know this is easy for me to say, but try to lead a normal life.

I will say a prayer for you when I go to bed tonight.

I promise.

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