Occupational Exposure

[nonce]

Hello All,

I am new to this forum.  I was in S.A this summer, and had an occupational needlestick injury (i took the recommended PEP regimen for the full 28 days).  ANyways, its now 6 months later, and so far all testing (incl. one at 4.5 mo.) have been negative.  My 6 mo. test, however, has me distraught.  Its been almost two weeks, and i've had no results yet (in the past, my three negative tests have all been recieved in in 7-8 days).

Im wondering, for those of you who have been tested, is there any correlation with the length of time it takes to get results, and the outcomes? By that, I mean, b/c this has taken more than a week (its been 9 days now), do you think there is a greater risk of the results being positive?

Thanks for your help.

[RapidRod]

NO!!!!!

[Ann]

nonce,

You only need to be tested three months past your last day on PEP. You are reliably hiv negative and you don't need to worry about your six month test coming back anything other than negative as well.

Please take into consideration what time of year it is. Many people are off work due to both the holidays and it being flu season - and lab employees are just like anyone else. Labs also tend to be very busy this time of year with seasonal illness related lab work.

I have to ask, are you aware that the word "nonce" is slang for paedophile?

Ann

[nonce]

thank you for your encouragement.

However, as most occupational exposure managment criteria state, current protocol is, in fact, to test until 6 months.  Regardless, the idea of the flu season, and busy work makes perfect sense...i think i just needed someone else to tell me that.

In regards to "nonce" being a slang term for pedophile, I had no idea.  I apologize if it offended anyone.  It's meaning, for me, is nothing more than my favorite rap groups name: "The Nonce" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nonce).

Anyways, thank you for your help. I sure hope you are right, as Xmas may not be quite what I expected if you are not.


Happy Holidays

[Ann]

nonce,

How unfortunate about the name mix-up. I've never heard of the rap group and you've never heard the British slang.

Regardless of what CYA policies are espoused, the fact remains that viral rebound (if a person were actually infected and PEP did not eradicate the virus) will happen quickly after cessation of PEP and the viral rebound will trigger antibody production. It would be highly unlikely a negative test taken six weeks or more following the end of PEP to change in subsequent testing.

If you want to put your mind at rest before the holidays, go to the HIV testing center database and find out where you can have a rapid test done near you. You would have your results within a half hour. Alternatively you could ring the clinic where your test was done and find out what's going on.

I'm fully expecting another negative result and so should you.

Ann

[nonce]

Hi Ann,

You were right......my test was negative.  Also, the delay in reporting was actually a clerical error, my test results have been in the doctor's office since wed! (Exactly a week, just like all my other tests!!!)

ANyways, thanks for your encouragement.

As well, while i would not consider myself an expert by any means, hopefully i can lend some insight to those who are going through similar situations.  Although I am only in my third year of  med school, i would hope to continue to frequent this board throughout my training/career, and hopefully be of some help....just as you, Ann, were to me.

Thank you and happy holidays.