finger prick with syringe. (finger of the hand)

[Edpa]

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well. I'll tell you my story: I live with a relative who is addicted to heroin. We had a fight about his addiction. When I tried to take away the syringe he uses to inject the drug in the middle of the argument, I accidentally pricked my finger and it bled. (finger of the hand). I have these questions: Should I get tested for HIV? Am I at high risk? What factors must be in place for an HIV infection to occur? I hope you can help me with my questions. Thank you for the work you do on this forum.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya. '

From what you posted here it doesn't sound like you pulled the needle out of their vain and directly stuck & injected yourself, so it's not an HIV risk.

We had a fight about his addiction. in the middle of the argument

It's pointless to argue and get physical with someone regarding their addiction. It worsens things and creates a potentially harmful situation for both of you and it is wasted energy. They need professional support only if and when they are ready and willing.

When I tried to take away the syringe he uses to inject the drug in the middle of the argument, I accidentally pricked my finger and it bled. (finger of the hand). I have these questions: Should I get tested for HIV? Am I at high risk? What factors must be in place for an HIV infection to occur? I hope you can help me with my questions.

So in short, four conditions need to be present simultaneously for HIV transmission to occur even in theory: The virus must be present in an infectious bodily fluid from the HIV-positive person, it must be present at sufficient levels to cause infection. There must be an effective route of transmission, and it must reach susceptible cells in another person. HIV is also incredibly fragile once exposed outside the human body and requires for lack of a better phrase brute numbers to overcome innate immunity.

What you posted here isn't an HIV risk, plenty of myths about this but it's not an HIV risk.  There is a real risk for bacterial and other viral infections and you should see your healthcare provider ASAP.

Also, contact professional addiction services (ask your healthcare provider for contacts) to understand what you can and can't do to help your family member. Consider your safety!

Here's what you need to know to reduce your HIV risks:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse correctly and consistently, with no exceptions. Consider talking to your healthcare provider about PrEP as an additional layer of protection against HIV and get vaccinated against HPV, Hepatitis A & B.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices described as safe in terms of acquiring HIV still pose a risk for other easier-acquired STIs. So please do get tested at least yearly for STIs, including but not limited to HIV, and more frequently if condomless intercourse occurs.

Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms; testing is the only way to know.

Kind regards

Jim

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[Edpa]

My relative had used the syringe to inject heroin about a minute earlier, and then I pricked my finger. (finger of the hand)

[Jim Allen]

I still don't have a real HIV concern about this.

I do have real concerns about your living situation, the domestic violence, your safely, your relatives safety and regarding this spesific incident far more infectious viruses and bacteria.

If this was within the past 2-3 days see your healthcare provider now, no delay and if that's not possible go to the ER.

[Edpa]

Thank you for your advice. I will talk to my family so that we can seek professional help. In conclusion, I am not in danger of contracting HIV. Just answer me "yes" or "no" so that I can fully understand your answer. Sorry, I don't know much about the subject.

[Jim Allen]

Asked and answered.

I presume this is a very recent incident, so to be clear my overall assessment is you should consider going to your healthcare provider now or the ER, without delay. My main concerns are infections such as hepatitis B & C that are estimated 50+ times more infectious than HIV and other infections that are hardened against environmental exposure in comparison to HIV.

I will talk to my family so that we can seek professional help.

Good idea and I wish you all the best. I appreciate it's difficult for everyone involved, in the meantime no more getting physical , fighting or arguing with this family member, trust me it will just make things worse for you.

It might also be wise to consider talking to a solicitor (lawyer) about this to understand any legal exposure you might have what with the arguments etc and drug use within household.