needlesticks and the HIV test

[colgreg1]

Hello

Please can you tell me if the HIV test at 3 months after exposure is conclusive for all types of needlestick exposures. Namely the ones listed below:

1) Shallow prick on finger from a solid or hollow needle with fresh visible HIV+ blood on the needle but without injection of blood, just the blood on the needle. The prick is shallow but deep enough to cause bleeding.

2) Shallow prick on finger from a hollow needle with injection of HIV+ blood into finger from the bore and/or syringe and with fresh visible HIV+ blood on the needle. The prick is shallow but enough to cause bleeding.

3) Deep prick on finger from a solid or hollow needle with fresh visible HIV+ blood on the needle but without injection.

4) Deep prick on finger from a hollow needle with injection of HIV+ blood into finger from bore and/or syringe and with fresh visible HIV+ blood on the needle.

5) Deep or shallow prick on finger from a hollow needle with injection of HIV+ blood from bore and/or syringe but with no visible blood on the needle.

Can you please let me know if a 3 month HIV test would cover all of the above needlestick exposures?. Would a negative HIV test at 3 months after any of the above exposures be conclusive? I have suffered a needlestick but I dont really know the extent of it so I just wanted to cover all of my basis and I would greatly appreciate your advice.

Thank you

[Teak]

Move on and don't hijack other people's threads.

[colgreg1]

Thank you Lizzie and Vance. You certainly have put my mind at rest now. I will speak with my supervisor first thing in the morning. Thank you both for your help.

[LIZZIE LOU]

3 months post exposure is conclusive for any and all exposures ! ! !

[colgreg1]

Ok. Thanks Vance. I will take your advice and speak to them about what happened. But just for now, for my peace of mind can you please, please advise me on the following so there is no confusion for me:

So for all of the 5 types of needlestick exposures I listed - a negative HIV test 3 months after the exposure is conclusive proof that I did not get infected with HIV no matter what the exposure was?

Thank you for all your time

[Vance2335]

Speak to who I said to. THEY NEED TO KNOW!

[colgreg1]

I know. I did not tell them because i was afraid of getting fired. I panicked. Stupid I know.

So for all of the 5 types of needlestick exposures I listed - a negative HIV test 3 months after the exposure is conclusive proof that I did not get infected with HIV no matter what the exposure was?

Thank you

[Vance2335]

You should be talking to your supervisor/instructor/HR about the proper procedure you should follow.

3 months is always conclusive.

[colgreg1]

Can anybody please answer my questions? I am being serious and I am worried about this. Vance, Teak or any of you experienced guys. Thank you

[colgreg1]

I am a trainee nurse who has made mistakes. Had exposure with HIV+ patient. Prefer not to go into too many details if thats ok. But confused as to the extent of the needlestick i got. So my mind is running a bit wild. So to cover everything that could have happened can you please let me know if the needlestick exposures I detailed above would all be covered by the HIV test at 3 months after exposure. Would a negative result 3 months after exposure be conclusive for all of the above exposures? Thank you

[Teak]

What makes you think you had an exposure?