Paralyzed with fear over needle stick

Nurses Stress 101

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I pricked my finger with a 20 gauge needle after inserting the IV. The patient tested HIV negative and Hepatitis C positive. I did not receive PEP. The PEP guidelines state it's not necessary to determine if source is in the window period and that no source person has transmitted HIV to a healthcare worker in the window period to date. I'm not I understand why that is. I was told I could breastfeed if patient tested negative for HIV. According to PEP guidelines, no further testing of me is required because patient tested HIV negative. However, my hospital tests anyways. I tested negative for HIV 6 weeks after needle stick and I tested for my 12 weeks yesterday. I'm scared out of my mind. My baby had a respiratory virus then ear infection and fever and then developed a viral rash after fever was gone. I'm scared I've made her sick. The nurse practitioner who saw her said not to worry. How do you not worry? I just had to talk to someone. I am so anxiety ridden that I can not function. I called in all weekend at work. I don't even want to be a nurse anymore.

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How would you being stuck with a needle 12 weeks ago cause your baby to have a respiratory infection?

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I am breastfeeding and I am scared the patient could have been in the window period and HIV antibodies may not be detectable yet. Of course I googled symptoms of acute retroviral syndrome and I'm scared my baby had ARS because of her viral rash.

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Babies get rashes. It isn't uncommon. One of my babies would almost always get a rash when he spiked a fever or had a virus.

I understand you feel vulnerable right now with a young baby. If I can give you any advice it would be to step away from the Google.

Babies get sick. Babies get respiratory infections and ear infections and fever and rashes, sometimes all at once!

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Kids get at least 6-10 illnesses a year. Rashes, coughs, fevers, vomiting, it's all common. Get off of Google and go back to work. You'll make yourself crazy otherwise.

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I would be worried too! What about the Hep C, since the patient was positive for that? Were you tested for Hep C? I personally would not breatfeed until my 12 week came back as clear - but I am like that. Kids DO get sick though, infants especially so really it is extrememly unlikely it's anything other than normal viruses that baby is getting.

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When I got stuck I was told not to have sex unprotected. Not to share toothbrushes. Not to do anything that could transfer a virus I may have. I would assume breast feeding could definitely pass these viruses. Where were her resources for saying you could still safely breastfeed. I would not have done it. Thankfully I was clean and I hope the same for you. Good luck.

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Yes, I was tested for hepatitis c and was negative. Hepatitis C is not transmitted through breast milk. I had to consult the PEPline after my needle stick. I was not given PEP because patient was HIV negative. I was told by the physician at the PEPline that I could resume breastfeeding since the patient tested HIV negative. I also called my pediatrician and his nurse said I could breastfeed because patient tested HIV negative. The physician at the PEPline said that the guidelines state it is not necessary to determine if patient is in the window period and that no source person has transmitted HIV to a healthcare worker in the window period to date. He also went over the needle stick incident and risk and the needle stick was not deep, did not involve a large amount of blood, and the patient was negative so based on that, his assessment was that it was safe to breastfeed. I also saw my nurse practitioner and she said it was safe to breastfeed as well. I am so scared. Please pray for me, my baby, and husband.

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Where were her resources for saying you could still safely breastfeed. I would not have done it. Thankfully I was clean and I hope the same for you. Good luck.

I would be very hesitant to give up all the many benefits of breastfeeding over an extremely remote and minute risk.

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Yes I was tested for hepatitis c and was negative. Hepatitis C is not transmitted through breast milk. I had to consult the PEPline after my needle stick. I was not given PEP because patient was HIV negative. I was told by the physician at the PEPline that I could resume breastfeeding since the patient tested HIV negative. I also called my pediatrician and his nurse said I could breastfeed because patient tested HIV negative. The physician at the PEPline said that the guidelines state it is not necessary to determine if patient is in the window period and that no source person has transmitted HIV to a healthcare worker in the window period to date. He also went over the needle stick incident and risk and the needle stick was not deep, did not involve a large amount of blood, and the patient was negative so based on that, his assessment was that it was safe to breastfeed. I also saw my nurse practitioner and she said it was safe to breastfeed as well.[/quote']

It sounds to me like you did everything you possibly could to ensure the safety and well-being of your baby.

Letting yourself become smothered by fear and worry and doubt is going to make you sick and rob you of the joy of your family and your nursing career.

I am so scared. Please pray for me, my baby, and husband.

I assume by your username and prayer request you are a Christian?

If so, the best thing you can do at this point is to give it to the Lord. Trust that He is in control and will take care of you and your family. Cast your burden on Him and let Him fill you with His love and peace.

I will be praying for you. I have been where you are as a young mom, and I understand what you feel and are going through.

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Yes, I am a Christian. I have been praying. I would take the burden of being sick, I just don't want to hurt anyone else. It would kill me. I am not a young mom. I am 43 and she is my unplanned blessing and I love her more than anything. She has filled my heart with so much joy and love. I just want her to be safe. And my boys need me. I struggled to make the right decision to breastfeed. My baby would not take a bottle at all and when I was stuck, thankfully I had enough breast milk stored for a month and so that is what she ate for the week while I waited for the patient's results. Thankfully, she took the bottle. But she will not drink formula at all. I thought I was safe because the patient was negative for HIV and I was negative at 6 weeks. And the vast majority of people have detectable antibodies in 21-25 days. So on that information, I felt it was safe. But I keep thinking what if? And then she became sick, but she goes to a sitter and there are other children there and there is a respiratory illness going around where we live. It is hard to think logically when consumed with fear. It is hard to give it over to God. I give it to him and then take it back. I prayed and prayed the patient would be HIV negative and the patient was, so God gave me an answer to my prayer. And I prayed and prayed I would be negative on my 6 weeks test, and he gave me my answer and I was negative. He has answered my prayers. I need to let this go for good and give it God. Thank you for listening.

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Sorry about the misunderstanding. I was wondering about the "1970", but wasn't sure. I really meant "new" mother (of a baby) rather than young as in age. It is a vulnerable time no matter our age.

It is easy to second guess our actions and decisions. The truth is, though, that all of the fretting in the world is not going to change what is.

The Bible tells us that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

It also says that perfect love casts out fear. (1 John 4:18).

You are doing a great job. You made a very informed and reasonable decision based on the knowledge you had. That is all that you can do. Look to God and trust that He will carry you through this!

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