HIV risk from blood draw?

[mercinyc]

Hello, I hope all is well. I just quickly wanted some feedback to dispel any worries I have. I recently received a blood draw where the nurse made me nervous because of the way they handled the needle. The nurse was holding the needle and their opposite hand had crossed the needle, millimetres from the tip. The nurse had gloves on, but if the nurse had accidentally pricked themselves and used that needle to withdraw my blood, would I be at any risk of contracting HIV, as it punctured my vein within seconds? 

[Jim Allen]

No, relax and move on with your life.

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

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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[mercinyc]

Hi, another worry I'm having now, I bumped very hard into a homeless man and his bag, when I bumped into him I felt a sharp pain in my leg. He was holding a very thin plastic bag, when I went home and checked I found a red dot on the spot where I collided with the man. I'm concerned that I came into contact with a syringe that he might have used. When I wiped the red dot there was a minuscule amount of blood on the tissue.

Am I at risk of HIV contraction, and should I test in one month?

[Jim Allen]

Hi, another worry I'm having now, I bumped very hard into a homeless man and his bag, when I bumped into him I felt a sharp pain in my leg. He was holding a very thin plastic bag, when I went home and checked I found a red dot on the spot where I collided with the man. I'm concerned that I came into contact with a syringe that he might have used. When I wiped the red dot there was a minuscule amount of blood on the tissue.

Am I at risk of HIV contraction, and should I test in one month?

Zero HIV risk. Relax and move on with your life

[mercinyc]

Thanks for the quick reply. Does this apply even if a worst-case scenario actually occurred, i.e. it was really a used syringe that poked me?

[Jim Allen]

That didn't happen and even if it had happened I have already answered that's it's not an HIV risk.
 

[mercinyc]

Hello, I had a rather odd experience today at work. I work for a large corporate in Portugal and they offer flu shots in the building as well as blood draws for health testing. I was going down the elevator to another floor when I walked past someone in the elevator who was carrying a see through plastic bag. I brushed against this bag and looked back and saw thick syringes in the bag. I am deeply concerned that the syringes were being improperly disposed of and I just bumped into medically used syringes that had blood on their tips. Is this an HIV risk if it punctured my skin?

I should note that I raised this to facilities management and they told me it was impossible as all syringes are disposed off in a sharps container and never in a plastic bag. However, I did at the very least see some type of syringe in the bags so I can not shake the fear. Should I test or take PEP?

[Jim Allen]

Read your post three times. Zero HIV risk, move on with your life.

[mercinyc]

Thanks Jim. Even if the worst case happened and I was pricked by an HIV infected needle?

[Jim Allen]

Well, there is no such thing as an HIV-infected needle as HIV only infects people.

Anyhow, I read your post three times and I already answered that it's zero HIV risk to you. The worst case scenario is I could have stabbed you on purpose with the syringes used at your office myself and it still would not be an HIV risk to you.

 

[mercinyc]

Hi Jim,
Could you explain why there would be no risk scientifically if the needles had blood on their tips? I went to the doctor today and he told me to test today for baseline and at 6 weeks with a 4th generation test which has worsened my fears. He did say it was low risk however.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya.

Because this is 2024, not 1984.

Your concerns lack any of the basic simultaneously required biological and environmental conditions for HIV transmission. It's not a low risk, that's just a CYA (cover your ass) answer by someone who doesn't know what they are talking about, you had no HIV risk whatsoever from this event.

Your concern is about accidental needle pricks with discarded syringes in a lift, and discarded needles as these have not resulted in a single confirmed case of someone acquiring HIV in 40+ years, the same goes for being randomly stabbed with one whilst going about your business. The reasons why include the lack of volume of fluids as it is less than a drop that can be suspended by the sharp and introduced in this manner and, it has been exposed to the environment at the top of the sharp/needle meaning the receptors needed to infect degrade leaving HIV unable to infect, this concern also lacks a few other conditions. 

See if you are injecting drugs that would be different due to how they are (re)used and the volume of fluids containing HIV that are kept within a vacuum, so they are not exposed to the environment that fluid is (re)-injected within a very short time directly into the bloodstream.

Now, I have not yet mentioned this but I will, the next issue is that this problem did not happen, it's in your head. I don't believe you bumped into a transparent bag being carried about with used needles, and,  even if that part did happen, you certainly did not get stabbed by a used needle in that lift, because unlike getting a qualified nurse to do it in controlled conditions, randomly getting stuck by a needle standing and around fucking hurts, so you would have clearly known about it.

Your issue isn't HIV and you don't need HIV testing over these issues, it might be an emotional/mental health problem that you should consider talking to a qualified therapist about.

I wish I could help you but I can't and unlike whoever you spoke to, I am unwilling to pretend this is an HIV concern. Your problems are not HIV related.

[Jim Allen]

Please don't post about needles/sharps again, if you do, I'll consider it excessive and issue a ban to encourage you to talk to a therapist.

Thank you.