Needlestick hep c + patient and post exposure testing

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Almost a month ago I was giving a patient who was hep c + insulin when they moved and the needle stuck me in the side of my middle finger. I had to really milk my finger to get blood (not sure if I should have done this but was in shock that it even happened that I needed to see blood to believe it!) and ,of course, washed my hands. I then reported it and had labs drawn soon after. On top of all of this I am pregnant. I was told the source's viral load was just over 3 million. Which I'm assuming is high. My employee health office isn't planning on drawing to check for antibodies until it has been six months since the injury. I'm wondering if there is a lab that can be drawn earlier than this so that I could find out before my baby is due to be born. Any and all stories/suggestions are welcome as I am beyond anxious and worrying so very much. Thank you!

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Specializes in Med-Surg., Oncology, Observational Units.

No use in worrying. Take if from someone who has been through this already. I went through this same exact thing about three or four years ago with the same type of needle. Long story short I never turned up positive. Actually, you have around a 1 percent chance of the virus replicating from the stick. That being said, this is an insulin syringe not a hollow bore 18 guage. I believe you have less than one percent personally. If you believe in prayer this is a good time to use it. Being male, I did not have to worry about a baby but I was not married at the time and this worried me a lot. My advice is pray a lot and go on with your life. Also, in practice always take your time when doing any kind of injection no matter how many times you have performed it and never gotten stuck before. Also, do injections with one hand and flip up the safety with your thumb not your other hand. Best of luck and I will be praying for you.

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Wouldn't/couldn't your OB advise you and order whatever labs he/she thought important? (I'm not understanding why you need to wait on employee health?)

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It's my understanding that for it to be run through workmans comp it needs to go through my employee health office. My OB is giving input, I just want to make sure there isn't a way to find out sooner that maybe she's not aware of as this is not a situation that she if very familiar with.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

If it were my baby, I would do whatever my OB/GYN says, or ID, or the Health Department/CDC not wait for employee health.

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It's my understanding that for it to be run through workmans comp it needs to go through my employee health office. My OB is giving input, I just want to make sure there isn't a way to find out sooner that maybe she's not aware of as this is not a situation that she if very familiar with.

For workman's comp to cover I'm sure you will have to wait. If you want peace of mind you might have to pay out of pocket. I know it is easy to say not to worry, but do try to not let this haunt you. You have a VERY slim chance of any issues. Try to take that as reassurance. Take care.

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Just wanted to re-iterate that chances are very VERY good that you are negative! Crossing my fingers for you.

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No use in worrying. Take if from someone who has been through this already. I went through this same exact thing about three or four years ago with the same type of needle. Long story short I never turned up positive. Actually, you have around a 1 percent chance of the virus replicating from the stick. That being said, this is an insulin syringe not a hollow bore 18 guage. I believe you have less than one percent personally. If you believe in prayer this is a good time to use it. Being male, I did not have to worry about a baby but I was not married at the time and this worried me a lot. My advice is pray a lot and go on with your life. Also, in practice always take your time when doing any kind of injection no matter how many times you have performed it and never gotten stuck before. Also, do injections with one hand and flip up the safety with your thumb not your other hand. Best of luck and I will be praying for you.

I second this.

I am all about caution but other than waiting to test, I wouldn't sweat this at all.

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