I honestly think I may have been stuck with a needle

[dikkrichards]

I work in the security industry in a city with one of the highest IV drug use rates in the country. About a week ago I had to break up a fight between a huge group of people. I kind of recall feeling pain whilst breaking it up, but with an adrenaline rush I don't remember exactly where. A day later I sat in my car and felt pain in my back, I checked and found a very painful lump. It was almost like an acne pimple, however I could not see a head to it. I would usually pass this off as a pimple but the pain was well beyond any pimple I've ever had. I am very worried about the possibility of a needle stick injury, IV drug users continuously sneak in to the property to find somewhere warm for the night, so the chance of somebody having a needle could be high. I decided to forcefully squeeze this three days after, a little bit of yellow gunk came out. I also checked my clothes and funnily enough there is a mark on the left side of my jacket, as well as a pair of boxers which I am sure I wore that shift. These pretty much line up with the lump.

I am wondering if I should chase this up with a doctor? I've tried a brief search online (which I try not to do) and it appears the risk of HIV and Hep C is very low from needlesticks? Is this the case even if there is a lot of blood in the syringe?

Thanks guys/ladies.

[Psyntax_error]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Syrenge-attack-in-office/show/2998079

[Psyntax_error]

If you think you have been under a needle attack, the first thing you have to do is to go to the cops and report it. Second, go see your doctor. Only your doctor will be able to give you a fair assessment of the situation here.

There have been only 2 documented cases of needle attack leading to HIV infection so far, the credibility of that information is a bit sketchy though. I wish you good luck.

Please go see your doctor for the right course of action.

[dikkrichards]

Just something I forgot to mention, there was a needle attack a mile from where I work. This was last year and the victim contracted (and cleared) a form of hepatitis.