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Community Needlestick

I was at an outdoor concert the other day, and when I sat down, I felt a prick, and looked at my hand and a few seconds later a little droplet of blood came out. After a little searching I found about an inch long needle that was broken off from a syringe. I know that the concert grounds had to have been fenced up at least the day before, so that needle was out there for at a minimum of 14 hours or so I would guess, since this happened a few minutes after the concert opened. It also rained that night, and from looking at it, it didn't seem like there was any blood visible. What are the chances of contracting HIV, Hep B, or Hep C from such an event? Kind of scared me.
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1491755 tn?1333201362
That is terrible, and damn the fool that left the neddle!  I'd get a full panel most definetly.  Sorry this happened to you.
Helpful - 0
317787 tn?1473358451
Hi so sorry this happened to you, the above members have given you good advice.  I just wanted to say how sorry I am.  I am sure it freaked you out.
Good luck
Dee
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
  Ooh, so sorry that happened to you :(  I would definitely get tested for the Heps and HIV...so many I.V. drug abusers do have Hep C, unfortunately.
   If you DO test positive for Hep C, and you havent
had a blood transfusion before 1992 or used I.V. drugs yourself, then I would think you would be experiencing an Acute Case of Hep C.  other symptoms go along with Acute Hep C (the first 6 months you have it, it's called that, after that time period, it's referred to as Chronic Hep C) such as extremely elevated liver enzymes, etc.
   The reason I mention this, is because Acute hep C is much easier to cure, so you would want to catch it in that first 6 month window~
Helpful - 0
1669790 tn?1333662595
The Hepatitis C virus can survive outside the body at room temperature, on environmental surfaces, for at least 16 hours but no longer than 4 days.

Although not likely, you won't know unless you get tested.  It is a simple blood test.  

Who should get tested for Hepatitis C?
Talk to your doctor about being tested for Hepatitis C if any of the following are true:

•You were born from 1945 through 1965
•You are a current or former injection drug user, even if you injected only one time or many years ago.
•You were treated for a blood clotting problem before 1987.
•You received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992.
•You are on long-term hemodialysis treatment.
•You have abnormal liver tests or liver disease.
•You work in health care or public safety and were exposed to blood through a needlestick or other sharp object injury.
•You are infected with HIV.

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/c/cfaq.htm


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