Panicked!!! HIV/AIDS, HepB, HepC risk?

[rntobeme]

When I worked as a CNA during summer and fall 2010, I was pricked by a pin on the gift basket of a patient whose HIV/AIDS, HepB, HepC status was UNKNOWN. I bled a lot. The RN just gave me a bandage and that was it. I wasn't tested by occupational health or ER for risks of HIV/AIDS, HepB, or HepC after the event. During Fall 2010, I had mild flu-like signs and symptoms: rash, diarrhea, fatigue, tiredness.

I'm very worried that I might have contracted HIV/AIDS, HepB, or HepC.

If someone else has HIV/AIDS, HepB, HepC and was pricked by the pin on the gift basket prior to me, I know that I might have contracted HIV/AIDS, HepB, and/or HepC.

I've never been in a relationship or even dating or even been close physically to anyone (never-been-kissed or anything physical either), so there's no way I can contract HIV/AIDS, HepB, or HepC through sexual activities in any forms.

I've never used any illicit drugs/herbs of any forms under any circumstances.

I've never received blood transfusions.

I've never had any injuries.

My questions are:

1 - Where can I get myself tested on HIV/AIDS, HepB, or HepC?

1.1 Is there a free and confidential place for these tests?

2 - I quit working at the hospital, I'm just wondering if they are liable for my condition should I contract HIV/AIDS, HepB, and/or HepC from the event?

2.1 If they are liable for my case, what can I do to claim the event?

Please help, I'm very panicked right now as I now continually have flashbacks of the incident.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I would honestly not be concerned about contracting an STI from a pinprick from a pin on a gift basket.

You can get tested at Planned Parenthood.

I think in order for them to be liable, you needed to have filled out an incident report AT THAT TIME.

But again, I would not be concerned about a pin on a gift basket.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

I honestly think you're over-reacting. This wasn't a needle used on the patient.. it was a pin. I'd say the chance that the pin pricked someone with one of these diseases first is less than 1 in a billion, seriously.

The chances the pin was 'infected' with anything is nil at this point. JMO

[klone, MSN, RN]

Oh, geez. I just saw that the pt's status wasn't even positive, it was unknown.

I agree, I think you're *seriously* overreacting.

[rntobeme]

What if I'm one of the rare cases? What can I do I'm even contemplating quitting nursing field forever and once by now. I'm so scared!!!!

[lrobinson5]

You can go to the Department of Public Health to get free and confidential testing.

If you did contract any sort of disease from that pinprick there is no way you can prove that it happened at the hospital. They cannot just take your word for it that there is no other way it could have happened, you would have had to report the incident and take a test immediately after it happened.

[klone, MSN, RN]

What if I'm one of the rare cases? What can I do

We've already told you - you can get tested. County health department or Planned Parenthood.

Why are you so convinced you have Hepatitis or HIV?

[lrobinson5]

Also: The chances of contracting HIV through a needle-stick accident is extremely low. You pricked your finger on a pin that might not even have had the patients body fluid on it.

If I were you I would calm down and go test myself, hang on to those records that have the date on them. If you ever have another incident you can prove that on such and such date I was HIV, HEP B etc. negative.

[rntobeme]

We've already told you - you can get tested. County health department or Planned Parenthood.

Why are you so convinced you have Hepatitis or HIV?

During Fall 2010, I had mild flu-like signs and symptoms: rash, diarrhea, fatigue, tiredness.

[merlee]

If you truly contracted something from a pin-prick it would have lingered and not just gone away. Go get tested.

[rntobeme]

If you truly contracted something from a pin-prick it would have lingered and not just gone away. Go get tested.

I actually don't have those signs and symptoms by now (Spring 2010). But I have headache and nauseated feelings probably because I was malnourished, sleep-deprived, dehydrated, and traveled on the plane two times. I will got and get tested for sure.

[abvincent1]

With all due respect, the pin doesn't have HIV/AIDS, Hep B, Hep C. You aren't making much sense. I worked in the infectious disease clinic of Cook County Hospital as an intern. Every client had HIV.

The risk here is as follows: if the person had HIV, poked him/herself with that pin, then immediately took it out and poked you with the pin. Most people don't know that contracting HIV is not an easy task, in fact you could have unprotected sex with an HIV positive person multiple times and still never contract the disease. Yet for the CDC and govt to make you think before you do stupid things sexually, they need to scare you in to thinking every time is very risky, and indeed it should be viewed that way.

Having mild flu symptoms does any thing but dictate infection of any of the virus' or bacteria (HEP B) you asking about. In fact, if I had to put your likelihood of being infected with any I would say it is FAR less than .001%

Go get tested and stop making up stories in your head about what-if this, or what-if that. You did not contract HIV from a pin prick on a basket of an unknown patient---that I assure you.

If you would prefer to test at home the FDA approves Home Access' home HIV testing kit that may be purchased at any Walgreen's or CVS pharmacy. It is completely anonymous and you can get your results quickly. However, I suggest you get tested at a facility that has educated help so they can tell you how much you are over-reacting to this scenario. I assure you if you have HIV, you did not get it in this situation. There has never been a documented case in history of someone contracting HIV from a pin prick on a basket of a patient whose HIV status was unknown.

Relax, and with all due respect GET A GRIP!