Getting HIV while testing for HIV???

[Stevena777]

So today I went to get tested for STD's including HIV test. I didn't have any particular reason I just wanted to be on a safe side since I am sexually active. However, I am suspicious I've made worst possible move in my life. Nurse that was taking my blood sample was nice but she looked very tired, she missed my vain couple of times and my blood was hardly coming out of my arm. She was confused herself but at the end she found my vain and took needed amount of blood. Ever since then, I can't stop thinking that the reason my blood was hardly coming out is that she forgot to replace needles from previous patient and she injected me with a dirty needle. I also don't remember seeing her taking new needle out of package or I was just too busy chatting with her because at the moment this didn't even came to my mind. I don't know am I being irrational right now but this whole situation causes me such an insane amount of anxiety that I am shaking while typing this. I decided to give her a call tomorrow to check this with her in details but I can't help myself at the moment. Please please please tell me this doesn't happens often to go get a test for HIV and get infected with HIV there. And the last thing, this is one of the best STD clinics in my city with very good reputation so you guys don't think I got tested at some dangerous illegal place.

[Chima7]

There has never been a confirmed documented case of someone getting HIV by getting an HIV test. This is a common but unrealistic phobia for people with OCD about HIV.

Your situation is very similar to what happens to me every time I go for a blood test. It's called being a "hard stick", either because your veins hide too much or you're dehydrated when you go in or your veins roll around or any other number of very common reasons why it's hard to get a blood sample. This is a very common problem for many people and you're by no means special.

This is not a risk. This is paranoia. You can feel free to discuss your concerns with the lab manager but I am 100% sure that you had absolutely no risk whatsoever. Whenever you go in for blood tests in the future, tell them you're a hard stick and make sure you drink a ton of water beforehand to avoid being dehydrated. The more dehydrated to are when you go for blood work, the harder it is for anyone to get a vein successfully, no matter how experienced they might be.

[Stevena777]

Thank you so much. The only thing that got me so worried is that I am not usually a "hard stick". Usually it is enough for them to touch me with that needle to get even more blood than they need but this time this nurse had a really hard time getting blood out of me. The truth stands tho I haven't had much water today either. Regardless, I will check with them tomorrow just be on the safe side, but you don't think it's easy to accidentally forget to replace needle right?

[AnxiousNoMore]

No nurse is going to forget to replace the needle. You may as well check the ground under your car before you get out to make sure an earthquake didn't split the ground open while you were parking.

Millions of people in the US get blood drawn every year a few times for routine medicals and none of them get HIV tests later to see if they got HIV.

You are wasting your young life inventing ways to die that won't happen, when you should be happy.

[Stevena777]

Thank you so much but somehow I am still terrified and scared. Why couldn't she find my vain from the first try I am so scared she infected me with HIV using dirty needle.