Needle stick and patient was HIV negative

[Freeborn1970]

I had 2 exposures, the first was blood on my hand. The second exposure was a needle stick from starting an IV. At first I was not worried about the needle stick because the patient tested negative for HIV. The patient was positive for hepatitis C. I did not qualify for PEP because the patient was HIV negative. I had baseline testing, but no follow up testing because according to the PEPline, no testing is required of exposed person if source person tests negative for HIV. However, I am having blood work Monday for HIV and hepatitis c. You may remember my past posts concerning breastfeeding. I called my pediatrician and his nurse said I could breastfeed if patient was HIV negative and the physician at the PEPline said I could breastfeed because patient was HIV negative. I am just worried about the window period. Can I trust the patient's negative HIV result? My needle stick was not a deep stick, it was a prick through my glove.

[Freeborn1970]

Thank you so much for answering my question. I'm so sorry that I posted another question. Yes, you are right about the anxiety. And I do need to speak to someone. I am constantly afraid that something is going to happen. And the needle stick scared me so much. Of course, I googled symptoms of ARS, and convinced myself I was infected. I just kept thinking, what kind of mother am I? How could I cause her to be unsafe? Thank you for your help and for the help of the others on this site.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The HIV blood tests are just about the most accurate diagnostic tests ever developed, for any medical condition.  Therefore, you can absolutely rely on the patient's negative HIV test result and you should go ahead with breast feeding.  

I'm concerned about your mental status.  At one level your concern for your child's health is rational, and I am not insensitive to that concern. Nevertheless, it is not normal to remain so frightened and insecure after the repeated, reasoned, science-based advice and opinions you have received on both this forum (twice) and the HIV prevention forum, from the pediatrician, and undoubtedly from the doctors you have seen about these events.  If your fears continue, consider professional counseling.  I suggest it from compassion, not criticism.

MedHelp rules permit a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months on each of the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions).  This is your third in a few weeks.  I'm going to let it stand, but it will have to be your last on this forum for the next 12 months.  (Only a limited number of new questions can be accepted, so MedHelp sets such policies to prevent domination of forums by a few anxious users, which can block other users with their own questions.  I'm sure you understand.)

Really, your concerns about HIV should be long gone.  You can believe it and move on with your life without worry about it.

Best regards--  HHH, MD