Aa
HIV risk from Blood draw with possible contaminated needle
Hi, I am 25M from India. I recently found I have internal hemorrhoids. I am NOT sexually active from 1 year and 3 weeks back before colonoscopy they did a screening test which came back negative for HIV, HBV, and HCV.
Today, I went to a local lab to give blood for CBC. The nurse (did not wore any gloves) showed me the sealed syringe cover before opening after that he tried to pull the syringe from the cover but only needle cap came out. So he tried to put the cap back on needle a couple of times and on third try he able to put the needle cap back and took out the syringe to draw blood. The blood draw went well he applied alcohol swab before and after.
After the blood draw it strike me, the needle TIP may poke or at least touch his hand while he is trying to put the needle cap back with his bare hands. Then he inserted the same needle tip into my vein.
The lab I went is not a STD clinic but the nurse said he used to work in STD clinic. I questioned him then and there he told me it did not poke his hand and he had his screening test 5 months back and became sort of angry toward me.
I am now afraid may be he is not straight forward with me. 2 years back I sulfured from Health Phobia primarily from blood borne after hearing my uncle contracted HCV from dialysis machine. Now this incident triggers all my anxiety.
1. Am I at risk of HIV, HBV or HCV if the needle poked his hand before blood draw?
2. Am I reacting too much?
3. Do I need to test, if so when should I? Should I ask for PEP?
PLEASE HELP ME so I can take care of my health both physical and mental.
Today, I went to a local lab to give blood for CBC. The nurse (did not wore any gloves) showed me the sealed syringe cover before opening after that he tried to pull the syringe from the cover but only needle cap came out. So he tried to put the cap back on needle a couple of times and on third try he able to put the needle cap back and took out the syringe to draw blood. The blood draw went well he applied alcohol swab before and after.
After the blood draw it strike me, the needle TIP may poke or at least touch his hand while he is trying to put the needle cap back with his bare hands. Then he inserted the same needle tip into my vein.
The lab I went is not a STD clinic but the nurse said he used to work in STD clinic. I questioned him then and there he told me it did not poke his hand and he had his screening test 5 months back and became sort of angry toward me.
I am now afraid may be he is not straight forward with me. 2 years back I sulfured from Health Phobia primarily from blood borne after hearing my uncle contracted HCV from dialysis machine. Now this incident triggers all my anxiety.
1. Am I at risk of HIV, HBV or HCV if the needle poked his hand before blood draw?
2. Am I reacting too much?
3. Do I need to test, if so when should I? Should I ask for PEP?
PLEASE HELP ME so I can take care of my health both physical and mental.
COMMUNITY LEADER
The only risks for HIV in adults are:
1) Having unprotected (no condom) penetrative anal or vaginal sex, OR
2) Sharing IV drug equipment with other IV drug users.
If you don't do any of those activities with someone of unknown status, or of known HIV+ status, you will NEVER have to worry about HIV.
Blood draws are not a risk, NO MATTER WHAT, because blood is being taken out of you, not injected into you. Blood on the surface of the needle - which almost certainly didn't happen, and is a product of your imagination - is not going to be infectious.
This forum is only for questions about HIV.
1) Having unprotected (no condom) penetrative anal or vaginal sex, OR
2) Sharing IV drug equipment with other IV drug users.
If you don't do any of those activities with someone of unknown status, or of known HIV+ status, you will NEVER have to worry about HIV.
Blood draws are not a risk, NO MATTER WHAT, because blood is being taken out of you, not injected into you. Blood on the surface of the needle - which almost certainly didn't happen, and is a product of your imagination - is not going to be infectious.
This forum is only for questions about HIV.
10 Comments
Thanks for the answer. So I do need to worry about PEP? If there is even a chance I wish to get PEP as it happened only today.
Reread about "MATTER" because it can't be more clear.
Thanks for easing my worries, I will try to move on. I know it is not a forum for other blood borne diseases but just want to ask do you recommend any tests for this scenario?
No tests needed, but if you are so afraid of blood draws and similar events that it regularly causes you extreme anxiety like this, I do recommend mental health counseling.
Probably you should look for a mental health therapist instead, since irrational fear is your only health problem.
just talked with the lab assistant, he did not remember whether needle tip touched his hand or not but he is sure he did not feel pain and told I do not need any tests . Agreed with your suggestions and will try to remain calm. I now agree I have ocd as I still cannot stop thinking about what ifs and searching net. I do not know how to overcome it but I will figure out. Thanks for all the service you guys are doing.
even I did not see any flowing blood from his hand after blood draw or pain in his face, so praying it is just my ocd and anxiety getting out of control, I cannot get myself to fully trust him because he previously worked in STD clinic and no habit to wear gloves at all but I will try to move on and focus on my life with the assessment you give.
Moreover lab assistant is very supportive through out, had his screening tests every 6 months or so and patient with me in answering my concerns so I think it is my fault for not trusting him but I cannot able to get out of this anxiety and think straight.
Only a therapist can help you with the anxiety. There is no point in adding further information here, since this is an HIV risk assessment forum ONLY, and you had no risk for HIV.
" I now agree I have ocd as I still cannot stop thinking about what ifs and searching net. I do not know how to overcome it ."
This is not an ocd therapy office so you have to see a therapist instead of wasting your time posting over and over that you have a problem. Therapy is the only solution, since you won't even try to help yourself by stopping the internet searches.
This is not an ocd therapy office so you have to see a therapist instead of wasting your time posting over and over that you have a problem. Therapy is the only solution, since you won't even try to help yourself by stopping the internet searches.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
