HIV ANXIETY

[Srahtx]

hi! I am an RN and work at a Childrens surgical hospital. I have had two instances in the past few weeks that have caused my anxiety to go into overdrive. I have two kids and am getting married in two months. The first instance was a surgeon went to inject some medication with a needle and syringe. The needle was in the patient and he went to inject and the local anesthetic squirted our everywhere. I felt something get on my forehead but felt nothing in my eye. His assistant assured me if anything got on me it was clean because it didn’t go through the needle, the syringe came off the needle and squirted from the syringe. I just keep running through it in my mind what if this child had HIV. Even though my rationale mind talks me out of it for a minute, it consumes me.
The second instance was where I felt something get in my eye when I was nowhere near the surgical field for something of that nature to get in my eye.

I believe this is stemming from anxiety and other issues I’m starting to deal with from my dad committed suicide in april of last year. I have an appt with a psych on Apr 18, I just need ways to cope til then. This is all new to me, I’ve never had so much anxiety about something I know to be near non existent. Deep down my HIv risk is next to nothing because the exposure was no exposure.

Help!

[specialmom]

Getting married is a big life change.  No wonder you are stressed.  And when stressed, we can be panicky and have that flight or fight response.  Not full one but in general and when we have this, we really have a harder time thinking. This is proven.  So, you know you aren't at risk.  You know that with your job comes safety things for HIV and testing that you can easily do.  And you realize that your fears are irrational and have really nothing to do with HIV.  So, work on coping mechanisms.  Breathing exercises, medication and exercise.  If this lingers though after the marriage ceremony, see your doctor to discuss.  good luck and happy wedding day!

[Paxiled]

April 18 isn't that far away.  You can make it until then.  You know you don't have HIV, and of course as a nurse you know better than any of us how to get tested probably for free, but it's pretty clear the anxiety is an issue no matter what.  Exercise, meditation, breathing exercises can help you in the meantime.  You also don't say whether psych means a psychiatrist, which means medication, or a psychologist who specializes in therapy for anxiety -- most of them don't.