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Lancet prick immediately after pricking HIV patient not on medication

I am registered nurse and around 4 weeks ago I was doing some Malaria tests (RDT) for children in an area that has a high rate of HIV infection. During the process I pricked myself almost immediately ( less than 5 seconds if not less) after pricking one HIV positive child. I didn't take any Pep as I thought there was no risk of HIV transmission according to what I've been reading here and decided to go on with it. Suddenly this week I started feeling unexplained fatigue, fever, a sore throat. This morning I realized that I have developed a whitish rush which has some clear fluid in it when I pop it around my neck, back and arms. Then two swollen nodes around my neck that are really tender and painful to touch. I understand that any any RDT HIV test would probably come out negative meaning I should wait for maybe three months to get tested but I am freaking out and anxiety might as well start crippling in which is something I don't want. From this description of symptoms and the event that happened do you think this could be HIV?
Best Answer
20620809 tn?1504362969
You work in healthcare and you were reading 'here' what you should do on your job? That's odd. I'm sorry, but that is really odd. Do you not have protocol? That's pretty standard that needle sticks and sharps have protocol that is followed, not self treating and online searching for what to do. And you are a nurse? As in you have been to nursing school? I'm not trying to come down on you but would hope our nurses are educated and taught about these things. If you have anxiety, especially. In fact, would hope that you understand anxiety as well as a nurse. Our reassuring your anxiety is part of the problem and helps keep you anxious. Needle pokes are not a risk for HIV. The only risks for HIV are to have unprotected vaginal or anal sex or to share IV drug needles to INJECT drugs. Air inactivates the virus. A poke of a needle or stick as you describe is exposed to air and would not transmit the virus. Please seek help for your anxiety so you can continue to do your job properly.
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