Documented Cases

[GM1987]

Just wanted to ask you fellow individuals, to what extent can we rely on "documented" cases?
I was talking to a Phlebotomist today and she said that her co-workers have been stuck with HIV+ needles (where a lot of blood has been visible) and no one has contracted HIV or Hep C. Nevertheless, none of these cases were ever reported and they occurred in a medical setting.
I just can't see the difference of infection occurring via a hypodermic needle inside/outside of the health care setting. Yes, medical professionals are more likely to report an incident but how about those that are outside of the field?

[dalyk]

I really really really, have a fear of HIV, so please dont laugh. Everytime I socialize at clubs pubs supermarkets, I am sure I have been stabbed by a syringe.

I was recently in a supermarket, and I felt a small ***** on my bum, and never thought anything of it. However when I looked behind later, I see her putting something back in her pocket and then when I walked back past her, she started laugthing with her boyfiend, but I caught her looking at me when she was laugthing.

Because I am African, I have a perception that everyone wants to give me aids, because that is where it started at.

Please could you answer me the following things.

1) Do you think the girl would have stabbed me with a syringe, and conspired this with her boyfriend.

2) Would I differently notice being stabbed in the bum with a syringe.

3)What type of mark would show, how much bleeding.

4) If it was a syringe what is the chances of me contracting HIV.

I really need to know this info, because my lack of knowledge is getting me so paranoid to the end result of depression.

Thankyou to anyone that can help.

thanks bob

[dalyk]

I really really really, have a fear of HIV, so please dont laugh. Everytime I socialize at clubs pubs supermarkets, I am sure I have been stabbed by a syringe.

I was recently in a supermarket, and I felt a small ***** on my bum, and never thought anything of it. However when I looked behind later, I see her putting something back in her pocket and then when I walked back past her, she started laugthing with her boyfiend, but I caught her looking at me when she was laugthing.

Because I am African, I have a perception that everyone wants to give me aids, because that is where it started at.

Please could you answer me the following things.

1) Do you think the girl would have stabbed me with a syringe, and conspired this with her boyfriend.

2) Would I differently notice being stabbed in the bum with a syringe.

3)What type of mark would show, how much bleeding.

4) If it was a syringe what is the chances of me contracting HIV.

I really need to know this info, because my lack of knowledge is getting me so paranoid to the end result of depression.

Thankyou to anyone that can help.

thanks bob

[Teak]

He's on the prevention board for the education of people in King County.  

[GM1987]

http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/24/4/98/100/

Needle-stick injuries in members of the public:

A major source of distress is the needle-stick injury sustained by members of the community - usually from syringe/needle combinations that have been discarded in a public place. The anxiety is even higher when a child is involved. The general principles of management apply but a few points are worth noting:

[dumbo]

i am not sure if Dr. H writes King County policy.  I think he is dictated to as to what can be said but here
he is not and says the truth??  My opinion only but I think accurate.

The city I live in uses a policy of 6 months!! but behind closed doors most say 6-8 weeks is just fine.

I think it will eventually change as well and even with the current tests.

[GM1987]

Stop having irrational fears. Being scared is one thing, getting stuck is another. I've done a lot of research after being stuck two times outside of the health care setting and chances of contamination - are extremely low.

[Teak]

I think testing will eventually change from three months as soon as they can get even better testing. I don't see it with the tests we have now. I haven't found one that says 6 weeks is conclusive. Mass still says confirm at 3 months. I hear Dr. H say it, but if you go King County Health Department's website where Dr. H is a member, it says 3 months. Do me a favor; give to your local AIDS group of your choice, in your area.

[rosh_0106]

i am too sailing in the same boat as GM1987, i am also scared of getting hiv through accidental needle stick injury. It is so much in my head that when i feel that a particular person can be hiv positive, i stop visiting his house thinking that somehow i can be infected through needles accidentaly. I have read so many articles about needle stick injury but nothing can make me feel good. They always say that needle stick injury is limited only to health care settings..i dont understand that. Doctors too visit our homes so accidental needles stick injury can take place at home settings too. Just needed one clarification from you guys, are you guys not scard at all from needle stick injury while you visit any hiv positive guy?also i have read that the infected blood should enter the veins for you to get infected..but in some articles i have read doctors gettting infected through a simple needle stick injury on their fingers. The more i read the more questions and doubts i have about the hiv transmission through needle stick injury

[GM1987]

Will do.
Teak, so not all of the 50 or so percutaneous exposures have related to needle sticks?
Thanks mate.

[GM1987]

Just wanted your opinion - Dr. HHH here states that a negative at 6 weeks is a very encouraging result. From what I understand, the CDC has always been conservative. We can see the decline of the window period from 6 to 3 months. And now, some medical facilities across the United States are establishing the 6 week window period as conclusive. Do you think, based on this information, that the 0.03% transmission risk is also fairly conservative?
Teak, you have been very helpful during this time. I'd like to PayPal you a little thanks. Please, if possible, provide me with the necessary information.
Thanks mate.

[Teak]

Most were busted test tubes, and bone lacerations. Very few were confirmed by needle sticks. Some of the needle sticks was from the Dr. suturing his finger to the wound of the HIV+ patient.

[GM1987]

I agree and thank you for educating me Teak.
Did the 50 or so documented cases in a health care setting contain blood which was injected into the medical care worker? I mean, from what it looks like, they were just stuck with a needle (hypodermic) in most cases and that lead to an infection as the virus did survive in the hollow needle.
Thanks again mate.

[Teak]

The only way for you to have been at risk is to have recent blood in a syringe and you injected it into your vein. Now that didn't happen now, did it. Of course it didn't.

[GM1987]

Not just IV users. But a simple percutaneous needle stick as well. I can imagine that a lot more infections have occurred percutaneously outside of the health care setting but no one has either bothered to follow up or report the incident. A very reputable individual on AidsMeds (I think it may be you) told me that my needle stick did not pose a threat but how effective would that statement be if and HIV+ patient was in contact with the needle just SECONDS before I came in contact.

[Teak]

The majority of people that have a stick in the healthcare field. Don't want to report it because of the paperwork involved and the reprimands they get for not doing something correctly. If the person was to test positive. You can bet it will be documented. You have to realize that less than 100, I believe the exact number is like 52 or 57 people have tested positive in the healthcare field since 1984. That is out of 800000-900000 possible exposures. Outside the medical field? I don't understand your question. IV drug users?