sewing needle

I posted this question in the hiv prevention then i relised that there are 2 forums
So im posting here and hope its ok with you
I have a carpet store down in new yourk and a client (while wanting to walk on the carpet bare feet to feel it) stepped on a sewing needle and was bleeding) i went to look for the needle he was talking about and it stuck me. He has already pressed charges against me.  My question here is
1. do i have a risk?
2.  Do i need to get a pre exposure medication?
3. Did the needle put my client at risk?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

We receive many questions about HIV risk from minor skin injuries in the environment.  The answer is always the same:  there has never been a known HIV infection from such exposures.

1) If your client says he has HIV, then there might be a small risk.  Otherwise, you are at no risk of HIV.

2) Unless your client is suspected to have HIV, you do not need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and I doubt you could find any doctor or clinic willing to prescribe it.

3) Since your client was stuck first with the needle, I do not see how s/he could be at risk for any blood borne infection.  However, this is not a legal opinion; and I have no comment about whether you might be responsible for the physical injury your client received from the needle.

Regards---  HHH, MD

[bombastic911]

Dear dr. I am not asking for a leagle openion.  Infact , you are not responsable for any openion you give me.   I am waivibg any rights i have against any openion you give me and medhelp's guidlines are clear.   I am just asking for a true openion. Do i have a risk or should i just put it behind me? What would you do?

[bombastic911]

P.s. What i meant about question 3 is that if the needle was contaminated before he stepped on it (the shop was closed for 11 hours before he walked in ) would he have had a risk?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

First, why would you assume there is a chance the needle was contamined with HIV before your customer stepped on it?  But even if it were contaminated with HIV infected blood, the virus would have died within a few minutes as the blood dried.  So there obviously was no risk to your customer; and also no risk to you if the customer happened to have HIV -- which of course is unlikely as well.

That will end this thread.  Please accept my opinion without debating it.

[bombastic911]

Thank you dr.   For your patience with me.   Take care