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Needle Stick injury from July 2011
Towards the end of July, 2011 while going through my son's (Known Herion User who shared needles) truck, I accidentally punctured my fore finger with one of his needles. It drew a little bit of blood. I tested 11 weeks post exposure and again at 20 weeks post exposure with 3rd gen Elisa test verified negative both times by Labcorp. Today, with the courage from your website, I had another test performed, results not back yet. I'm confused on the 3 month vs 6 month window arguement. I have worried myself almost to the point of not being able to function and I think I've worried myself sick. Can I relax??
Thanks
Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum. I'm sorry to hear of your needles stick, as well as to hear of your son's addiction. I'm pleased however to tell you that you can completely relax and that you did not get infected by this exposure. Any test results more than 8 weeks beyond the exposure ( the needle stick for you) can be considered definitive.
I realize that there are a lot of contradictory statements out there- 8 weeks.....3 months....6 months, etc. We get many questions about the meaning of HIV test results at different time points. This is now confused by the availability of a variety of different types of tests. The traditional and most widely used tests for HIV are tests for antibodies to HIV which are available both as so-called "rapid" or point of care tests which can be done in the clinic and laboratory based antibody tests. For all practical purposes both of these types of test perform comparably and provide accurate information on the presence or absence of HIV infection in virtually everyone at 8 weeks following exposure. The recommendations for testing at 3 and even 6 months are the result of two factors- data from older tests no longer used (you really do not need to worry about which generation of tests you were tested with, at this time virtually all tests are far more sensitive that they were even 2-3 years ago when the 3 month recommendation was made) and secondly, the fact that some, mostly governmental agencies which have to provide recommendations for virtually everyone without the sort of interactions such as those you get with your doctor or on personalized sites such as this one, feel they cannot "afford" to be wrong and therefore make recommendations and guidelines which leave most people unnecessarily nervous for 4-6 weeks longer than the 6-8 weeks it takes virtually everyone to develop HIV antibodies. Neither of us has seen, heard, or read of anyone who was exposed to HIV and not receiving prophylactic anti-HIV medication in an effort to prevent infection who has taken more than 8 weeks to develop a positive test in over five years.
I hope this comment is helpful (and reassuring) to you. EWH
I realize that there are a lot of contradictory statements out there- 8 weeks.....3 months....6 months, etc. We get many questions about the meaning of HIV test results at different time points. This is now confused by the availability of a variety of different types of tests. The traditional and most widely used tests for HIV are tests for antibodies to HIV which are available both as so-called "rapid" or point of care tests which can be done in the clinic and laboratory based antibody tests. For all practical purposes both of these types of test perform comparably and provide accurate information on the presence or absence of HIV infection in virtually everyone at 8 weeks following exposure. The recommendations for testing at 3 and even 6 months are the result of two factors- data from older tests no longer used (you really do not need to worry about which generation of tests you were tested with, at this time virtually all tests are far more sensitive that they were even 2-3 years ago when the 3 month recommendation was made) and secondly, the fact that some, mostly governmental agencies which have to provide recommendations for virtually everyone without the sort of interactions such as those you get with your doctor or on personalized sites such as this one, feel they cannot "afford" to be wrong and therefore make recommendations and guidelines which leave most people unnecessarily nervous for 4-6 weeks longer than the 6-8 weeks it takes virtually everyone to develop HIV antibodies. Neither of us has seen, heard, or read of anyone who was exposed to HIV and not receiving prophylactic anti-HIV medication in an effort to prevent infection who has taken more than 8 weeks to develop a positive test in over five years.
I hope this comment is helpful (and reassuring) to you. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Last answer to this thread.
No, no reason to worry about. As your ENT told you, the test was ordered because she hopes that will put an end to your questions, not because there is any risk.
the thread is over. EWH
No, no reason to worry about. As your ENT told you, the test was ordered because she hopes that will put an end to your questions, not because there is any risk.
the thread is over. EWH
Hello again Doctor H,
Since my last negative ICMA result on 1/17/2012 I have still been battling sinus problems that the doctor states now is allergies due to the warmer than usual winter in the mid-atlantic states. However, each time I call to discuss my allergy/sinus problems I ask if any of it is due to the needle stick back in July 2011. She always says "no". However, the other day she called me and said that to put my mind at ease she ordered a PCR/RNA test, because as she says, "I'm asking her the same question all of the time". This scared me a little. I have had 3 negative ICMA Labcorb tests done at 2, 4 and 6 months. Anything to be concerned about or just a doctor trying to calm me down? Thank You
Since my last negative ICMA result on 1/17/2012 I have still been battling sinus problems that the doctor states now is allergies due to the warmer than usual winter in the mid-atlantic states. However, each time I call to discuss my allergy/sinus problems I ask if any of it is due to the needle stick back in July 2011. She always says "no". However, the other day she called me and said that to put my mind at ease she ordered a PCR/RNA test, because as she says, "I'm asking her the same question all of the time". This scared me a little. I have had 3 negative ICMA Labcorb tests done at 2, 4 and 6 months. Anything to be concerned about or just a doctor trying to calm me down? Thank You
My third test just came back negative - That makes 2, 4 and 6 months. Thank you for the reassuring words as I worked through this nightmare.
Best regards
Best regards
Thank You so much - You've made my year!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sorry, you were carrying on a conversation with WORRIED FRANK and I tuned out ( and will again). I think your question is a question for the ENT and certainly is not related to HIV or your needle stick. EWH
Anything to think about with my current sinus, headache issue?
IThank you so much for your quick repsonse. I'm a 50 year old man who is for all intents and purposes a logical thinker. The reason I have been so consumed is that I have had sinus issues that will not go away even with antibiotics, fatigue and headaches for the last couple of months. All could be from worrying. Pardon me for leaving that out of my question. Thank you for putting my mind at ease and I'll make an appt with an ENT.
God Bless .
IThank you so much for your quick repsonse. I'm a 50 year old man who is for all intents and purposes a logical thinker. The reason I have been so consumed is that I have had sinus issues that will not go away even with antibiotics, fatigue and headaches for the last couple of months. All could be from worrying. Pardon me for leaving that out of my question. Thank you for putting my mind at ease and I'll make an appt with an ENT.
God Bless .
Yes - But its only $22 - It's cheaper than my current medical plan.
do u have to pay to get the doc to answer?
wow me too i keep looking for symtoms
I would tell everyone, that as scary as thery are, it's worse not to know. I'm hoping and after reading the good doctor's notes, that I've probably made myself sick. I have been basically not functioning for 1 month. Not an exageration
hi doc
is there a way i can ask you about what happend to me ,teak and the others say i ant at risk ,i may have been poked with a fishing hook after someone with hiv?should i be worried
is there a way i can ask you about what happend to me ,teak and the others say i ant at risk ,i may have been poked with a fishing hook after someone with hiv?should i be worried
Thanks Man - Take care!
see your good clean as a wistle
Thank you so much for your quick repsonse. I'm a 50 year old man who is for all intents and purposes a logical thinker. The reason I have been so consumed is that I have had sinus issues that will not go away even with antibiotics, fatigue and headaches for the last couple of months. All could be from worrying. Pardon me for leaving that out of my question. Thank you for putting my mind at ease and I'll make an appt with an ENT.
God Bless
God Bless
they say the chances that the results change even after 2 months are low i would feel safe in your soes ,im to scared to even get a test and people tell me i dont even need to i wasnt at risk .
I did not take a the post exposure drugs. I'm interested in the expert's answer
im not a expert but u took the post expoosure drugs ,and tested neg 20 weeks i would be feeling good ,and the fact its your son do you know if he is healthty
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