Dr. Sangeeth Kumar
Dermatology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I went for a routine blood test at a private clinic. The person in the lab used a vacutainer needle to draw blood. After three weeks of that incident, I had an incident of headache and neck and body pain. Also, I had mouth ulcer and rash which I never had before. I do not know if they resemble ARS or my anxiety. I was in terrible fear of contracting HIV virus from the blood draw. I know it may sound irrational but can I get HIV from drawing blood if the needle was reused. It also took him some time to take my blood. I had done a test at four and six weeks after the incident which was negative but I am still in fear. I never had sex nor do I use drugs. Please release my anxiety. Can I get HIV from having my blood draw from vacutainer needle? Please give a detailed reply.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Is the needle used by any other patient? Or only for youself?
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I do not know. I suspect it was reused. Can I get HIV by this drawing of blood? I am kind of worried.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Did he open the needle in front of you? Do not get tensed.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I did not observe that but my irrational thinking is taking the best out of me. I got symptoms like mouth ulcer and rash which I never had before. That is why. Otherwise, I never had sex nor do I use drugs. So, I am worried whether it is possible to get HIV from the procedure of blood draw. I got tested after four and six weeks of that incident which were negative but I am still in the window period. So, what are the chances of HIV from a blood draw from a needle?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The risk of HIV infection increases following the exposure if:
And you have got done an HIV test at four weeks and six weeks. Did you go for fourth generation HIV test?
Do not get tensed. Be relaxed. Your stress is causing more symptoms.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I did HIV rapid flow through immunofiltration.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Go for HIV DUO test. This clears your doubt. Be cool and do not get tensed.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
This test is not available in my city. Has anyone got HIV from blood draw in the world? Also, the flow of blood was outward. So, was there a major risk? I did not have fever and my skin rash was at the seventh week, and mouth ulcer was at the sixth week. Are the symptoms late for an ARS? Is the test which I did reliable at six weeks or not? I am too concerned.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The test which you have done is reliable, but the test which I have suggested can detect HIV even in two weeks also. I suggested basically for your peace of mind. The average risk is 0.3%. So, the probability is very less. You are thinking too much and getting tensed.
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Dermatology
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