Needlestick Injury Advice

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I'm a brand new nurse. Last weekend at work, I got stuck while injecting heparin into a patient. The patient had no known history of HIV, hepatitis B or C. However, the patient would not consent to having her blood drawn. Therefore, I have to get blood work done once a month for 6 months. I'm told that we can't rule out any issues until the six month mark. The employee health nurse at my work seems to believe I don't have much to be concerned about. If this patient happened to be affected, theres a .3% chance of getting HIV and 1.8% of hepatitis C from a needle stick. I was not recommended to go on any post-exposure prophylaxis for that reason because the risks outweigh the benefits.

My boyfriend is extremely concerned about this whole ordeal. He thinks its best to abstain from all sexual activity until I get the all clear at 6 months. I've always been lead to believe that a condom would protect us from HIV even if I would end up affected (which the chances are super slim). But he seems to believe that with a condom, he would still be at risk.

Just wondering if anybody can offer any advice or resources on this issue. I'd really like to be able to educate my boyfriend and convince him that if following the proper safe sex techniques.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Per the TOS, AllNurses can not give you medical advice. You and/or your boyfriend should consult with your PCP(s) as to what would be best for your situation. Only abstinence--no sexual contact whatsoever--is 100% effective against the spread of STDs.

If the patient were positive for something, the odds are indeed slim (less that 1%) that you would have contracted it...I know that's small comfort when you're on the wrong end of the needle and facing a long six months.

Best of luck.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

What state are you in? You need to find out what your state allows - whether consent is necessary or not. Here is what OSHA says:

If state or local law allows testingwithout the source individual's consent, theemployer must test the individual's blood, if it isavailable.

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