needlestick injury

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

((hugs)) for the agony you must be going through. I had a needle stick years and years ago from an hiv + patient. Back then, they didn't give you meds (probably because there weren't any!) and just did the periodic testing.

The wait is grueling. I'm sorry you are going through this. My prayers are with you. Keep us posted.

VioletKaliLPN, LPN · Jan 24, 2011

I would like to offer you some (((hugs))))

I would also like to offer you a statistic based on my MED/SURG text. It says that there is a .03% risk from a needle stick injury.

CarolinasRN · Jan 24, 2011

I haven't been in this situation...but just know that I am praying for you!!! I can only imagine the feelings that you may have....but just know that God has & will cover you!!!

alovejones · Jan 25, 2011

Just said a prayer for you :heartbeat

RscodADN10 · Jan 25, 2011

Im praying for you!

tee_byrd, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

I also got stuck while assisting a Doctor about 2 years ago. i was so because the pt was vented and couldnt give consent to get tested...Plus the next of kin couldnt consent for a HIV test for the vented pt. The medication will make you sick but I just took them when I was going to bed so that I was sleep through most of it. I was so depressed for months that Infection Control had to speak to me and try to comfort me.. I just made all the Doctors know NOT to call me to assist with a patient if it included a needle..

Cessna172 · Jan 25, 2011

My prayers are with you.

Debra ACRN · Jan 25, 2011

I think you have an amazing chance of being just fine. First, it was someone who knows they have HIV, hopefully they are on antiretrovirals and have an undetectable viral load. Then you didn't get stuck with a hollow bore needle and that has a decreased risk of transmission. If you had on gloves when the needle penetrated that wicks off about half of the blood so that would decrease your chances even less. You are taking some really great drugs that have a very low side effect profile, although anyone would be woozy with all the emotion that goes with a blood exposure.

I have been caring for patients with HIV since 1988, I teach regularly and I am so grateful I have never had to be in your shoes. Just know, that your chances of getting in a car accident on the way to work is probably greater then your blood exposure with antiretroviral treatment. There are no documented cases of transmission in health care workers who took meds in the United States. Let me know if you need any info or hand holding, we'll be thinking of you. Debra

faithforever · Jan 25, 2011

hi to all,

Thanks for all your wonderful messages. Really really appreciate it. I really did tons of research about it. I would say I'm still positive about it. I wore gloves at that time but patient gets very agitated, sitting up during the procedure.... the doctors even can't hold him still and unknowingly left the suture needle which i accidentally get into...your right Debra...thank God too that the source is Hep B and C negative. and I have vaccine for Hep B too. I hope the one month is over. I'm almost there though..Ill keep everyone posted. thanks to all!:)

Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I · Jan 25, 2011

You MIGHT be able to get your facility to test you for "viral load." I believe the test is called: "HIV-1 RNA, Qualitative." This will show if you have the virus itself. In my last job, if one of us got "exposed" somehow, the physician would order it on the client. We still had to have our regular blood draws, but when we got the results in a week or so, it did provide some peace of mind. I can only imagine how expensive this test is, though.

faithforever · Jan 25, 2011

Thanks Yosemite RN,

I'll take your advice. I think they check everything, but I'll ask about it though. Thanks so much.