HIV Needle Junkie

[swissmen]

Hello Doctor,

yesterday i was out trunk much alcohol and was on a party in a house, there was a Women which is a junkie,she was they are injected drug, later when i want go home she was still there and i ask here if everything is ok, and then id happen, she put the syringe in my hand it happens fast, I looked at my hand and was shocked i pressed and blood comes out

Here a Pic of my hand with the points a fiew hours later

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/3926/p1030590y.jpg

I ask here about HIV she says no si dont have hiv, but maybee she lies


Im now so shocked, i didnt sleep last night


How big is the Chance to contract HIV;-(


regards

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Thanks Vance.

In the United States PEP is offered to patients within 72 hours of exposure.  I'm not sure which country you are in but apparently their guidelines are different.

Either way however, what is done has been done and cannot be undone. As I told you, from what you told me, your risk of infection is moderate at best and the best thing you could do is to find out if she has HIV with a test performed at this time.  If that cannot be done, you should be tested.  In many parts of the world tests called "DUO tests" which test for both antibodies to HIV and the HIV p24 antigen are available. These tests have only recently become available in the U.S. but they appear to detect HIV much earlier than the standard antibody tests and results at 4 weeks following exposure are highly reliable while for the tests which test only for antibodies it may take up to 8 weeks to be completely sure of results.  We do not recommend PCR tests because they have not been well studied for the purpose HIV diagnosis and they are known to have more false positive results than the recommended DUO or antibody tests.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, this is typical of approved rapid tests for HIV.  Believe the result.  EWH

[swissmen]

Hello Doc

I was after 57 days (8 Weeks) in a HIV Testing Center, the did a Rapid HIV Test Retrocheck, it was negative

But the Test was a fast test they take only a little blood from my Finger and take it to a white Testcasette.

Is this Test ok?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The presence or absence of symptoms is meaningless in terms of assessing risk for  HIV.  Take the test, believe your test results.  EWH

[swissmen]

Dear Doctors

Now 5 Weeks are past, i didnt have flue Symptoms or fever i know not all will have a acute HIV Syndrom but what do you think is this a good Sign?

In 1 Week is the Day 42 after the **** is happen i will take a HIV Test if the test ist negative (i hope it really) how sure is the test?

[Vance2335]

Be patient the Dr will look at and answer your follow up question but you have to remember that he is busy and only comes here for a little bit at a time.

[swissmen]

Hello Doc

can you plz help me about the PCR Testing?

[swissmen]

Hello Doctor Hook

i was now in a Clinic i write it false it was not yesterday it was saturday, they tell me now its to late, best time is 2 hours after something is happen, now its over 50 hours.


You write it was a high enought ? Im now really in panic. The Doctor says in their Hospitals are Needleinfection with a HIV+ poor.

Im so a Idiot why did i speak with here and this stupid thing will never happen.Now i have the Problem.

I found a other Testing Tool its called PCR how good are they? I cant sleep well and cant wait 8-12 Weeks.

I cant eat every minutes the HIV Syndrom is now in my brain.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  If the woman did not have HIV, then there is no risk to you. If you have reason to not believe her, perhaps you could arrange for her to get tested again now.  If her test is negative, then you have nothing to worry about.

If you cannot arrange for her to get tested, then statistically, chances are that she does not have HIV and if she did, most needle sticks do not lead to infection. At the same time however the transmission rate is high enough that if you sincerely believe that she could have HIV you should consider taking PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) with HIV medications to prevent infection.  PEP is expensive and the drugs have side effects so this is not a decision to be taken lightly and should be made in consultation with a health care provider who is will not only to provide you with the prescription for PEP but to answer your questions and follow you while you take it. We have had numerous posts where our clients have been prescribed PEP by people who then are unwilling to continue following their patients or who, form the sound of things, do not know a lot about PEP.  This causes problems.

We do not look at photos on this site.  If you say the needle stick punctured your skin and drew blood, I believe you.  I hope my comments are helpful to you.  EWH