HIV - having symptoms - was I at risk? Scared all the time.

[poesy]

I made a topic earlier today, which can be found here:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Anxiety/Based-on-the-description--what-does-this-sound-like/show/1185964

then I found this forum and thought maybe my problem fits here as well.

Long story short, I thought that I had gotten HIV from enviromental surfaces (blood in public bathroom) years ago and I thought I was having symptoms of advanced HIV. I went and got tested in an HIV counselling cabinet (or whatever it's called). The test came back negative.
However, now, few weeks later, I'm having a on-and-off low-grade fever, which makes me VERY worried since acute HIV symptoms appear 2-4 weeks after exposure and the main symptom is low-grade fever - exactly what's happening to me right now.
I know that the chances that the nurse reused a syringe/needle are somewhat small, but what if she did it by accident? I'm very concerned especially because it was a special HIV cabinet and it's highly likely that the person who went testing before me, was HIV+.
And I know that a test in 3 months would show if I had HIV, but waiting 3 months is very hard and I'm scared to go back to the testing cabinet.

[poesy]

http://www.gpsupplies.com/images/Products/L_flashback_blood_collection_needles_21g.jpg

like this

[poesy]

Thanks for the response. I have an additional question. Do you maybe know what the retractable needles look like? Because the one she used was a needle and a plastic part (which was green) and open on the other side and then the tube for blood was inserted to the plastic part from the open side.

[LivingwithOCD07]

Hi,
I know this must be scary to think about, but I really think you should just relax.
First of all, for the safety of the practice and the phlebotomists, needles will not be re used, second of all, most injectable needles used by clinics and places that give shots will have needles that are retractable, meaning you can't use it again after it's been used because the pricky thing goes into the needle.
Maybe it would help you to call up there where you got the shot, tell them that you have a fear of HIV and if they could tell you the safety policy and procedures, also what type of needles they use (if they are retractable.)
If you must, get tested at the 3 month mark, but this is unecessary and costly, and will only enable you to keep getting tested every time you have a fear you have contracted HIV. You'll be fine. Good luck!