dirty needle while getting blood drawn

Question

6 days ago i had a rapid hiv test done. they drew blood out of me. thankfully it was negative but i keep thinking that the needle she used was dirty. i don't really remember her opening the needle, and the needle wasn't on the table when i first walked in and she threw it away when she was finished with me.

i don't know why i keep thinking this, most people would just be happy with a negative result. when she was sticking the needle in me, it looked absolutely clean.

i'm thinking about calling the clinic i went to just to talk to her....

nursegirl6572 · Answer

No chance whatosever.  These questions come up quite regularly.

Almost all needles have a safeguard in place to protect the healthcare worker where there is either a sheath that locks into place over the needle making it unusable.....and if a sheath isn't present, let's just say it would be QUITE difficult to re-use needles....it would cause so much more work for the HCW.

Remember, the HCW's MAIN priority is to protect themselves.  They simply are not going to take chances by re-using needles, having soiled needles lying around, etc.  

FINALLY......for sh*** and giggles...let's say that a dirty needle WAS used on you...or anyone for that matter.  It would still be virtually impossible to get infected this way...ONE, b/c the virus becomes inactive very quickly when exposed to air, TWO, b/c the amount of blood would be so small, and THREE....they are withdrawing blood for your vein, not injecting INTO the vein.

I would also sincerely advise that you seek some help to get past these irrarional fears...your anxiety is getting the best of you.

stupidsick · Answer

Hey CLTgirl,

I was really freaking out over the situation i was in. just relax and think straight. most of the needles they use are one time only, once one person has been used with it they can't use it again. 
and what if it was a dirty needle..WHAT IF. i doubt the nurse (in my case) would even risk having a dirty needle near her 

so just relax. if you still aren't convinced just go and get another test done in 3 months and i can even assure you that it'll be okay. health clinics aren't trying to get you infected

Teak · Answer

Try the anxiety forum.

CLTgirl · Answer

Oh my God!!!...I was freaking out about the same thing!..
I have this anxiety about that needle thing too!!!....  I tested negative twice....But I called the clinic twice and she told me that they used sterile needles, And that she was 1000 percent sure that there was not any cross contamination.  But to check and get rid of my fears, I will just get checked again in April...But it will be the oral swab test and I will NOT get my blood drawn again....Or I will just inspect everything before they draw bood.  

I AM soooo glad I am not the only one...!

stupidsick · Answer

thanks for the advise, the nurse used a vacutainer to draw blood out of me. it didn't have a sheath on it when she drew my blood.

i'm slowly getting over this, slowly

stupidsick · Answer

thank you guys...i called the clinic today and i asked the nurse "do you use clean needles" and she responded "no we don't, we use sterile needles". it really made me think about how irrational of a mini fear episode (whatever you want to call it) i had

mteor · Answer

Hi. Youre not entirely alone in this regards. I went through the same situation even after receiving a negative test result. My obsessive compulsive worrying got the best of me a few hours later and i ended up driving to the clinic the next morning. 

  The clinic manager was very helpful and patient in showing the needle apparatus they use and in explained in detail that each needle is used once (even on a single patient) and then diacarded immediatly ina biohazard waste bin. 

  These kind of thoughts become very real especially when you realize that you could be the cause of all this. My advice to you would be to go to the clinic and express your concern. I am sure they will put your mind at ease. 

  I wish all of you health and happiness.