Aa
Stepped on a needle. worried about HIV
On Oct 19 I stepped on a needle. I didn't think I felt a prick until I got home an saw a small hole in the heel of my foot and there was some blood. I went to my dr but he didnt prescribe PEP. I literally had symptoms the following day. Started with diarrhea and general unwell feeling. Lost all appetite and got dry mouth. Also developed very mild sore throat. Day 8 post exposure my hips began to hurt pretty bad for 2 days and continue to bother me randomly. Aches moved down legs and yesterday my ankles hurt quite bad, now it is mild. Sore joints and achy muscles have been experienced all over my body, they come and go. I have had diarrhea almost every other day. Still have very mild sore throat. My main question is I know that stress can bring on many symptoms but the joint pain being in varied places, coming and going is quite worrisome. Is this normal joint and muscle pain seen during ars? It is now 22 days post exposure and I will get bloodwork done at 28 days using a 4th generation test. I have not yet had a fever or rash. Is this reassuring? Thank you
I got back my combo test today (I think this is the same test as a 4th generation, but I'm not sure) the test was taken 38 days after exposure and the results said;
No HIV p24 antigen and no Hiv1/HIV2 antibodies detected
Does it matter that is says not detected? Why doesnt it say negative?
No HIV p24 antigen and no Hiv1/HIV2 antibodies detected
Does it matter that is says not detected? Why doesnt it say negative?
Today is 5 weeks and 3 days post exposure. I went to a clinic to have a finger prick test done and they decided to draw blood aswell. I had two viles of blood drawn and they had to be sent away. The finger prick test came up negative. How accurate is this at this date? (% wise) I know I will need to do 12 week. The nurse did not wear gloves for either of these tests, when I questioned her she said it was bc the gloves get in her way and she fears messing up while wearing them
Does anyone know anything about Platelet counts. Two weeks ago mine was 178. Normal range 150-400. Two days ago they were 143. Everything I read say viral infection, hiv
Pregnancy is hard on a woman's body as you well know by now. If you are half way through this pregnancy, the joint and muscle pains you're feeling are probably from the growth of your baby........as they grow, and require more room, your muscles (and other innards) are shoved out of the way. This is uncomfortable to say the least. Also, as your baby grows, your joints are under more stress to support that weight. For reassurance and just to play it safe, discuss this with your OB/GYN at your next check up. You can also post to one of our Pregnancy Forums, but rest assured these symptoms are NOT related to ARS.
Sorry about the double post. It didnt show up when I checked but I guess it did
I was hoping that the muscle and joint pain is stress / pregnancy related. But this is my fourth pregnancy and im a little over half way and have never experienced anything like this before. Can anyone allude to what joint muscle pain is like during ars? Is it wide spead? Does it go from severe to moderste to mild? Does it disappear and reappear in same / multiple joints?
Your doctor is not up to date on PEP protocol. You can begin PEP within 72 hours (3 days) post exposure. But I do not know how it affects a fetus.
Aches and pains in joints and muscles during pregnancy are normal from early on until the very end. Your body is going through unbelievable changes. Any concerns should be discussed with your OB/GYN
You........and your baby are going to be fine.
RubyWitch
Aches and pains in joints and muscles during pregnancy are normal from early on until the very end. Your body is going through unbelievable changes. Any concerns should be discussed with your OB/GYN
You........and your baby are going to be fine.
RubyWitch
Thank you for your reply. My dr figured that the chances the needle had hiv on it were minimal. That is why he did not prescribe PEP. Also it was approx 36 hrs after exposure and he was uncertain of effectiveness. I am also pregnant and he worried about the affects to the baby If I recieved medication. All valid points I know! I was pretty much able to assosiate my symptoms with anxiety. Except my strange joint and muscle aches which are quite bad for a day or to and then start subsiding and then appear at another joint or muscle. This has me the most worried. I will let you know when I get results!
Your risk was assessed by your doctor and he/she determined you HAD NO RISK.
Your symptoms all sound like a cold or the flu exacerbated by anxiety.
Get tested since I believe that is the only way you'll be able to move on from this, but the results will be negative.
Are you even positive it was a used syringe you stepped on?
Please, just remember if your doctor said you had no risk, you had no risk.
Let us know when your negative results come back!
RubyWitch
Your symptoms all sound like a cold or the flu exacerbated by anxiety.
Get tested since I believe that is the only way you'll be able to move on from this, but the results will be negative.
Are you even positive it was a used syringe you stepped on?
Please, just remember if your doctor said you had no risk, you had no risk.
Let us know when your negative results come back!
RubyWitch
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