Not a typical exposure

This website is a wonderful resource, thank you for all your work.

I tested negative (3 times) over a year ago and have been in a monogamous relationship with a partner who also has tested negative.  Prior to the last blood test, 8 months post possible exposure; I was worried about hiv and the accuracy of the tests.

I recently had surgery that left me with 2 fairly significant scars.  The scars were not healing smoothly, but were bumpy from the scar tissue that was forming.  I went to a dermatologist, who was on my company's insurance provider list.  He suggested a kind of steroid shot that would make the scar go a bit flatter.  He left the room to get the injection.  I am terrified of needles and the shots were painful so I had my eyes closed most of the time.  My fear comes from the fact that I did not see where the injection syringe came from because he left and came back into the room with the syringe and I did not remember seeing him wearing gloves or remember feeling him clean the injection sites.  I know he used the same syringe for the injections into both scars, because he only had one syringe.

So here are my questions:
1-Am I just being paranoid about the whole thing?
2-What is the likelihood of obtaining HIV from injections of this kind?
3-Should I be worried about whether or not the doctor wore gloves?
4-How safe are injections usually in healthcare settings?

Your responses have provided comfort to so many, thank you for taking a few moments to respond to my questions.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

1) I don't diagnose anything, including paranoia, long distance.  But the questions certainly suggest an irrational mindset.

2) Zero.

3) No.

4) In industrialized countries, or any setting with only single-use injection equipment (the world wide standard), there is n o HIV transmission risk.

This question is beyond reason and the very fact you felt compelled to ask it suggest a likely need for psychological counseling; and your choice of username has the same implication.  I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.

Good luck with it--  HHH, MD