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.
I appreciate the fact that you're genuinely worried, the other posters are correct that your "risk" is extremely low and it is an over-reaction.
to put it in context, I had blood from an AIDS patient (full-blown with sarcoma all over his torso) get all over me, including in my open mouth. I was afraid that I may have contracted HIV because my risk was about 1,000x more than yours (not making light of your situation, just presenting statistics). My risk was still less than 1% and I have been negative, that was 16+ years ago....I ain't worried about it anymore.
So I do know what it's like and I wouldn't be concerned at all if I were you, especially because you don't know if you were even exposed to anything at all. Get tested at the health department, planned parenthood, etc and put your mind at ease. But I'd be way more worried about contracting hepatitis...HIV is a very easy disease to avoid.
Statistically you are at zero risk. Do get tested, not b/c you need it but b/c it will put your mind at ease. And I agree that your level of anxiety about this inconsequential event 6 months later suggests health care is not the field for you.
Get off your butt, go to the health department or planned parenthood and get checked. Get help for this obsession!!
I work with HIV/Hep patients everyday and used to stick IVs etc. back in the day when we didn't know about Hep C or HIV or use gloves for most patient care. I'm still here after all these years.
2. Get tested and alleviate your anxiety. That's the only advice we can give you. By any chance are you studying these diseases in nursing school right now? I remember (particularly psych) thinking I had almost every illness we covered as we were covering it. I've been stuck by a dirty needle of a patient with a history of hep C and not contracted it, thank God. I wish I was stuck by a gift basket. Even then, although I was nervous and even cried (being pregnant at the time), I still resolved to get a grip and take proper precautions but otherwise live my life enjoying every day until I was tested negative. You can't live your life in constant fear.
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.
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.
Okay, what season are you in right now? You said you were pricked in the summer or fall of 2010? Or did you start in the spring? Your dates are somewhat confusing.
getoverit, BSN, RN, EMT-P
432 Posts
rntobeme,
I appreciate the fact that you're genuinely worried, the other posters are correct that your "risk" is extremely low and it is an over-reaction.
to put it in context, I had blood from an AIDS patient (full-blown with sarcoma all over his torso) get all over me, including in my open mouth. I was afraid that I may have contracted HIV because my risk was about 1,000x more than yours (not making light of your situation, just presenting statistics). My risk was still less than 1% and I have been negative, that was 16+ years ago....I ain't worried about it anymore.
So I do know what it's like and I wouldn't be concerned at all if I were you, especially because you don't know if you were even exposed to anything at all. Get tested at the health department, planned parenthood, etc and put your mind at ease. But I'd be way more worried about contracting hepatitis...HIV is a very easy disease to avoid.