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Sub cutaneous needle stick chance of HIV transmission
Hello, I recently had a needlestick to the lateral side of my index finger right after giving a sub q shot,This needle was a small bore needle. After the needle stick I did notice a small amount of blood on my finger, in which i applied alchohol and washed with soap and water, From some of the websites I have visited I noticed that if stuck with a needle from a known HIV patient that the chances of infection is at 0.03%, There is no known diagnosis of whether this person is HIV positive or not, my gut feeling says she is not but I know you can never be sure. So with this being said how worried should I be that I contracted HIV from this exposure? What would my chances be in a situatuion of unknown HIV status with a small bore needle? Any statistics or advice is greatly appreciated. Thank You
Would you say the same about the possibility of exposure to HIV from an AIDS patient after giving a subcutaneous injection and residual medicine from the used needle landed on the nurse's mouth?
You need to follow your facility's post exposure protocol.
Theoretically, it is a risk, but realistically it is not, because a superficial stick is not going to be deep enough, or severe enough to reach the bloodstream, which has to happen to allow for infection. Also, any blood on the surface area of the needle would quickly become inactive being exposed to the air, also rendering the virus unable to infect. Not to mention, most likely, the patient doesn't even have HIV.
The kinds of healthcare exposures that lead to infection would be significant injuries with a lot of fresh blood...think a scalpel injury in an OR. I worked in employee health for many years and dealt with a lot of exposure injuries. I've never seen someone get infected from a SQ needlestick injury (even WITH a positive pt).
Like I said, you need to follow your facility's guidelines, but you will be just fine.
Theoretically, it is a risk, but realistically it is not, because a superficial stick is not going to be deep enough, or severe enough to reach the bloodstream, which has to happen to allow for infection. Also, any blood on the surface area of the needle would quickly become inactive being exposed to the air, also rendering the virus unable to infect. Not to mention, most likely, the patient doesn't even have HIV.
The kinds of healthcare exposures that lead to infection would be significant injuries with a lot of fresh blood...think a scalpel injury in an OR. I worked in employee health for many years and dealt with a lot of exposure injuries. I've never seen someone get infected from a SQ needlestick injury (even WITH a positive pt).
Like I said, you need to follow your facility's guidelines, but you will be just fine.
Hi teak, im just wondering why you consider this no risk for HIV transmission, but after I poked myself with a needle with a small bore (23) gauge the id Dr strongly suggested three drug pep? Thanks for the clarification.
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