Needle stick while 31 weeks pregnant. Pt is intermediate + hep C

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Hello Everyone!

I haven't logged in here for a while after getting a New Grad RN position, adjusting to a new job and gotten pregnant. I hope everyone is having a great life.

Unfortunately, I came back to the forum for some comfort. I am in my 31st week of pregnancy and had a needle stick after giving an insulin shot right before shift change. Some how, the needle caught my finger while in the process of sliding the safety device. I am not sure how it happened but I squeezed a lot of blood from my finger after I took off my gloves. Proper protocol was initiated by our supervisors.

The next day, I was assigned to the same patient and saw his lab results. His HIV and Hep B are negative, but somehow the Hep C appears slightly above the negative range. Per results, his Hep C antibody is 0.87 while the negative range is

I wanted to break down and cry but I tried my best to finish my shift. I thought about my husband and especially this baby that is in my belly. I know that there is only 3% chance I will get hep c, but I am afraid that I will be the 3%. My emotions have been up and down since then, causing me to call in sick the next day. This would be our second child and always been thankful and blessed with a healthy first born. I could never forgive myself if I end up contracting Hep C and at the end infecting my 2nd baby.

Did anyone have the same experience and turned out to be okay afterwards? All my baseline lab results are now negative, and will have another set of lab draw in 6 weeks.

I wish you all the best. Any replies will be very much appreciated.

Bebe1mee

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No experience, myself.

But I hope for all the best for you. Try not to stress out too much until that second round in 6 weeks.

You have a 97% chance of being completely fine. That's significant. Think about what you will do for yourself to celebrate when you get the good news. Doesn't have to be anything big, just something you like. Focus on that.

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

While transmission rate is low, I think the fact that it was a sub-q shot is also a positive because the risk for blood to blood contact is lower. Just keep following up with occupational health and also let your OB know. Stay positive. Good luck.

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there are good reasons for that 3%/97% split. transmission risk increases with the volume of blood injected. large-bore needles are far worse than skinny little subq ones. intravascular access procedures are far worse than subq injections. blood from people with higher titres is far worse than those with low ones.

you have all the reason in the world to expect that your titre in 6 weeks will be negative. hang in there, the time will pass.:hug:

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read my worries and leave some comforting words. I will focus on the 97% and the fact that it was a subq injection.I feel better usually but sometimes I still think about it, I did not realize how traumatizing a needle stick incident is. Every time I give a shot, I always feel the way I felt after getting stuck.I'll keep praying for good news! Thanks again. I'll keep u posted

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BEBE1MEE,Hang in there, think positive, & pray. The odds are in your favor, but I know you can't help but worry. I will keep you & yours in my prayers. A friend of mine was stuck subq during her orientation into nursing. The needlebox was full. The patient was HIV+. She went through the protocol. She's ok. Thank goodness. Good post GrnTea

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

GrnTea is a smart lady....I'd listen to her. The weight of beign responsible for another human being hit me hard when I was pregnant.....while over whelming now, :hug: Have faith, it will be ok!

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Specializes in nursing education.

You've gotten some very good advice. (((hugs))) and all the best to you.

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Specializes in mental health.

I had a similar experience with a hep c patient while getting a capillary blood sample . When I put the lid on some how a drop of blood splattered extremely close to my eye. Did a lot of flushing and praying. That was 3-4 years ago and I'm definitely Hep C negative. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us up to date!

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Specializes in Hospice, HIV/STD, Neuro ICU, ER.

My guess is the prelimary test for Hep C is positive, but they don't have the confirmatory test back yet? His EIA could ​be a false positive d/t the other issues he has with his liver. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers!!!

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Specializes in Trauma, Emergency.

No experience but praying you find peace and comfort until you get your NEGATIVE tests back in a few weeks. {{{hugs}}}

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Specializes in LTC.

I know the feeling. One time I donated blood and received a letter that I had hep c antibodies and the test results were inconclusive. I had to break the news to my fiance and family. The only way I could think of getting it was from one of my patients who has the disease. I give her insulin on a reg. basis and did not always use the best protection. I got retested and everything came back negative.

I'm praying that you will have peace in this situation. It is okay to be concerned, but have comfort in knowing that it is a very, very slim chance of you getting it.

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