Can a needle stick injury from an HIV+ person transmit HIV?

Question

Hello doctor,

I got a needle stick injury. The patient was HIV positive. The needle was used for intramuscular injection, and I stabbed it over my left cubital fossa, passing my shirt. The patient was old and was suffering from abdominal pain and menorrhagia.

I do not know about her viral load, and I squeezed the wound to bleed a little because it was not bleeding freely. Please tell me about my risk of infection since I am worried too much about it, and also I started triple-drug PEP after four hours.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

Needle stick injury carries a risk of 0.3% of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) acquisition, a 6% to 30% risk of HBV (hepatitis B virus), and a 1.8% risk of HCV (hepatitis C virus).
Recommendations are not to squeeze the site of the prick. Immediate washing of the site with soap and water or even plain water.
Complete the PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) drugs for 28 days with 100% adherence.
Get the HIV test four weeks after the exposure, and if the result is negative, get a repeat HIV antibody test three and six months after the last exposure.
Get the HBV and HCV tests done.
If the result is HBV positive, and if you are not fully vaccinated for HBV, you require prophylaxis for it too, which needs to be given within 72 hours of the exposure.
Hope your query is answered, but if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask or call anytime.

I hope this helps.

Regards.