I was poked with a needle

[Nothinghere]

Hello,
I would like to explain what happened.
First, my cat has become ill and I went to the vet and they prescribed liquid  medicine
 When they gave me the medicine, I can't remember if they gave me a needle with the syringe that they gave me to pull the liquid into the syringe. I remember the vet was showing me some process, but I don't live in an English speaking country,and I don't speak their language so I didn't understand, I was tired and I just can't remember.

Fast forward a few weeks later and I was vacuuming and I found a needle on the floor in my home with a cap. I thought it was part of all the pieces the vet gave me to administer this medicine. I picked it up and the next time I was going to give the medicine, I poked myself with this needle.
I then started worrying that maybe this needle was not from the vet, especially when I messaged her and she kept saying I don't need that needle to give medicine. The next day I went to the vet and I saw that it is a short needle like they use for animals and she has the same needles in her vet office. I kept asking her if she gave me that needle and again because of the language barrier I don't know what she was talking about.
No one comes in my house usually but 26 days before the prick, workmen came to install an air conditioner. I'm worried that maybe this needle fell out of one of their pockets. The vet said the short needle I found is for animals not humans, but desperate drug users might use animal needles.

Fast forward a week later and I have a yeast infection. I never get yeast infections. I know this is a symptom of HIV. The vet told me I didn't need to go to the hospital over this incident, but now I am really worried she doesn't know what she is talking about. It was 26 days from the air conditioning installation until I was pricked. How high is my risk? I can't remember if blood came out when I was pricked.
Thank you for any help.

[Jim Allen]

Your HIV risk from this was zero.

Discarded syringes, sharps, needles in the community settings has never resulted in HIV transmission, it simply lacks the basic conditions required to transmit HIV.

Yeast infections are common in adults, most will experience them at least once at some stage of their adult life, see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment and I hope that your cat is feeling better.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid HIV infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions.  Consider starting PrEP as an additional layer of HIV prevention going forward.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as safe in terms of HIV might still pose a risk for transmission of other far easier to acquire STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

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

More information on HIV Basics, PEP, TaSP and Transmission can be found through the links in my signature.

Kind regards

Jim

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[Nothinghere]

Thank you very much for your answer. Would 1 week after infection be too early to start getting yeast infections from an HIV infection?

[Jim Allen]

The yeast infection a week later has nothing to do with HIV from the events posted here as it was no HIV exposure.

Yeast infections are common in adults, most will experience them at least once at some stage of their adult life regardless of HIV status, so see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment of the yeast.

[Nothinghere]

Hello,

I read the guide that we are supposed to read  when we join, "HIV Transmission Basics". It lists all the ways  that one cannot contract it such as sharing toilets, hugging someone, etc. But, it doesn't list getting poked with a needle. It actually lists that as a way you can contract it so I am very confused. My husband has been trying to have sexual relations with me and I've not been letting him because I don't understand why that guide says a needle orick can but here you are saying it can't. Please, I am not trying to be argumentative. I just really dont understsnd understand why that guide says one thing and you are saying another. Thank you

[Jim Allen]

That publication is not from the forum, BTW, and the only context when it's a concern is needle stick injury within healthcare settings or sharing needles for drug use.

See, you could acquire HIV through sharing needles (syringes) during drug use, due to fluids containing HIV that are kept within a vacuum and the injection of backwash directly into the bloodstream. In occupational settings (Hospitals), needle stick injury is a risk whereby hollow needle injuries occur directly from the patient to the healthcare worker. (Highly rare HIV risk).

So if I pulled a hollow needle from my vein and immediately stabbed you with it, it would be a theoretical risk, but this did not happen.

In short, none of this applies to you as your concern is with a discarded needle. Context, there has not been a single documented case in 40 years of HIV transmission due to contact a discarded sharps of any kind in the community setting.

In part, this is due to HIV being too fragile to remain infectious when on discarded sharps and lacking quantity to infect; hence it's not a risk, and it makes perfect sense there has not been a single documented case.

There are, of course, plenty of HIV myths about discarded needles, but that's all it is myths.  It could be a concern for other BBV's or Bacterial infections but not HIV.

My husband has been trying to have sexual relations with me

Use condoms and as you are sexually active test at least yearly for HIV & STI's out of routine.

Best, Jim


https://www.avert.org/news/5-weirdest-hiv-transmission-myths-ever

Rumour: During the 1990s, a common myth suggested that discarded needles left by strangers anywhere from gas pump handle to inside your cinema chair were infecting unassuming people with HIV.

Reality: Although HIV transmission is a risk between people who share needles for drug use, there has actually never been a recorded case of HIV transmission from a discarded needle.

http://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/needlestick-injuries-discarded-needles-and-risk-hiv-transmission

There are no documented cases of HIV infection through contact with a needle or syringe discarded in a public place.

Collection of misinformation on Spitting, Discarded syringes/needles & myths on transmission in the news media  https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=72874