Can soiled needles increase HIV risk?

Hi doctor,

I visited a nearby lab with good standards to get my blood test done for my PET CT (positron emission tomography) scan scheduled for the next day. I usually get all my blood testing done from the same lab for seven months while I was undergoing chemotherapy. I had visited the lab and there were not many people there. I waited for the previous patient to leave the blood drawing area. He was an old man in his 70s who had come with an attender. I went in to get my blood drawn but did not notice or pay attention to the nurse if she changed to a fresh needle or new needle (as I was very much thinking of the PET CT scan due the next day after eight rounds of chemotherapy). I usually pay attention to whether the needle has been changed or not every time I go for a blood test. I do not have any swollen lymph nodes, rash, or fever after one month since this incident. I would like to know if this will lead to any HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or other blood-related inflection. I had HIV, hepatitis B, and C testing done ( just three days after the incident to perform a biopsy), which came back negative. I would like to also know if labs and nurses strictly follow to use new needles every time, and if patients do not need to insist on and be cautious when having their blood drawn?

I had my general checkup with my treating oncologist last week and had my basic blood tests done, which were expected (HIV, Hep B, Hep C).

Please advise

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

The lab or nurse used the attachment needle type to draw my blood. Not sure if these are safe ones.

Please advise.