Hiv exposure and symptoms ?

[Donbenie]

6 weeks ago I had hiv+ blood spilled on my fingers in the process of setting up an iv line,at the time of the incidence I was unaware of the status of the patient but I had no visible cuts on my fingertips when I checked.

Two weeks later I developed a fever,night sweat,cough and chills and general feeling of malaise, with an ulcer on my lip which I've never had before..

These disappeared after a week,but a week later I experienced the same malaise with night sweat and the cough is still persisting.

Now, I'll admit to being very anxious and in a state of extreme stress due to the aforementioned exposure and I've decided to wait till 3 months to have a conclusive test done.

Now,my question is,is this incidenct perceived as possible infection scenario or is stress and my fear getting the best of me?

[mike_no]

I am just going to repeat what my fellow posters told you. You were never at risk. Even for an occupational needle stick injury the risk of transmission would be at about 0.2%, in your case there was no exposure, HIV can't be transmitted through the surface of your skin.

[GuitarRox]

We've had health care workers here before and I am often a little confused why they don't already have the facts regarding HIV transmission or why they wouldn't follow protocol of the place they work if they have a worry.  You must know on some level that HIV is not spread by touching blood. HIV is only transmitted by unprotected vaginal or anal sex or sharing IV drug needles.  (Injectable needles not needle sticks).  Air inactivates the virus.  If you have extreme anxiety and phobias, it must be hard to work in a health care setting.  What about treating the anxiety?

[Chima7]

If you're a health professional then you should know already that touching blood or getting it on your skin is not a risk for HIV.

If you're prone to this type of irrational health anxiety, you really should consider a change in careers. Patients need healthcare providers who will do their best to care for them while they are at their most vulnerable. They don't need someone who has irrational phobias of catching diseases in ways that aren't even scientifically possible being responsible for their care.