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.

[abvincent1]

(By the way, I was a social work intern) So I hear ALL the stories from what we called "worry warts" And this one would certainly meet that qualification...so just relax

[heron, ASN, RN]

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!!!!

As far as I know, there are NO cases that resemble yours. We can't give medical advice here, but go to the CDC website for the straight skinny on infection risk. You probably have a better chance of being hit by a meteor in the next ten minutes than you do of contracting HIV or any of the hepatitis viruses. I'd have been more worried about a bacterial infection ... and you don't seem to have one.

In all the infections you're worried about, there has to be blood-to-body fluid exposure ... it's not the pin-prick that would infect you, but a substance carried on the pin ... and there's no reason to believe there was anything there.

Agree that any fertility control provider could probably test you to put your mind finally at ease. If that doesn't work, perhaps counseling would help with anxiety that's so far out of proportion to what really happened.

HIV and hepatitis are certainly grave infections, but we need to keep our worries reality-based, ya know?

[klone, MSN, RN]

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

One valuable thng I learned in nursing school:

If you hear hoofbeats, think horse, not zebra.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Come on. People get pin sticks all the time. pins come out of button down shirts, one can easily get stuck. How about safety pins. You can not live your life in fear that any little pin prick (unrelated to actual patient care) will give you some deadly disease, You flu like symptoms were probably the typical fall flu/cold that goes around.

You're perfectly healthy. Get tested so you know and you can stop worrying your little head about it.

y

[Old.Timer]

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!!!!

For your well being, I would seriously consider doing just that. You'll make yourself crazy. Your reaction is totally disproportionate to the risk. Not everyone is cut out for every job.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

You're a CNA, shouldn't you be verse in HIV/AIDS basics? Considering the level of freak-out you are experiencing about this incident, I suggest you find another line of work!

And getting tested is the rational thing to do in this instance. If this happened late last summer or early fall, the window period for HIV is over and if you are infected the antibodies will generate a positive result on your test.

Get tested, period. You're going through unnecessary worries.

[klone, MSN, RN]

For your well being, I would seriously consider doing just that. You'll make yourself crazy. Your reaction is totally disproportionate to the risk. Not everyone is cut out for every job.

Yes, I had that thought as well.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Seriously?

HIV risk from a gift basket?

[MaryEMT]

One valuable thng I learned in nursing school:

If you hear hoofbeats, think horse, not zebra.

I have a nursing instructor that says this all the time!

[rntobeme]

Seriously?

HIV risk from a gift basket?

It wasn't you. You don't know.

[rntobeme]

Seriously?

HIV risk from a gift basket?

Seriously, you are not me. You don't know what it's like. You don't. Sorry. Peace be with you. I'm seriously worried. It's not 0 risk. It's still a risk. If you were to be me given all the protection I have applied to myself for all those years, being intact and pristine for all those years, you don't understand. Don't joke, please. Thank you for being so-nice.

[Crux1024]

Its turned into a "joke" b/c youre making it one. There are several people here who have told you about the risk involved in your particular situation (which is a miniscule amount) and youre still freaking out about it. The symptoms you're experiencing? Im attributing to anxiety.

Read up on on blood borne illness transmissions. If youre going to get tested, do it and clear your mind. But do keep in mind that b/c you didnt file an incident report on the day it happened any "illness" found will be attributed to you and your lifestyle, the hospital/facility wont assume responsibility for it.

Relax. Youre overreacting.