[Question #10503] Symptoms after blood draw

22 months ago

Hello doctors, I was so anxious about a no risk exposure on 07/14 (touching blood with my hand that had some small wounds). On 08/17, 5 weeks later I went to get an Ag/Ab HIV test just to ease my mind, it was negative. However, on 08/27 exactly 10 DAYS after the test, I developed what seems to me like ARS symptoms.

When I did the test, I didn't see if the phlebotomist used a new needle, and what got me really worried is that when i was dealing with my symptoms, i noticed some palpable small lymph nodes at the site where the blood was drawn (in my elbow crease). So that's can confirm that i got HIV or other virus from that needle?

My symptoms were :

Burning feeling in throat

Fever and chills that come and go

Night sweats and nausea

Folliculitis

White tongue and diarrhea

Swollen lymph nodes in my neck (under the jaw), a small one in my right armpit, and one in my groin

Numbness and tingling in my feet and hands especially at night

Fatigue, and body/joint aches.

I want to add that i had augmentin for one week

And also got one mouth sore and recurrent cold sores (can be due to my stress?) And eyelid stye (never had one before)

I went and did 3 more Ag/Ab HIV tests, 19 days (09/05), 26 days (09/12), and 46 days (10/02) after my very first test, and all were negative. So here are my questions:

1) I know you consider the test conclusive at 6 weeks, but what if I got a coinfection from that needle? Let's say I got HIV and HCV (or other bloodborne viruses) can that affect my HIV tests results (or delay it?)? Do i need to retest?

2) Do i need to test for other bloodborne viruses (i'm 8 weeks past) or wait? I know that hepatitis C and B have a long window period.

I want your help doctors, please. I'm lost. I don't know what's happening with me

Edward W. Hook M.D.

22 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. I'll try to provide some information which I hope will be helpful. The incident that seems to have gotten things started here was a no risk event. Most people do not have HIV and touching blood does not lead to infection, even if the blood is from a person with untreated HIV and even if you have cuts on your hand. You proved this with your negative test on 8/17.

You had the coincidental bad luck to acquire what was probably an "every day", community acquired non-STI illness of the sort that most people get from time to time 10 days after your blood draw. The symptoms you describe are not particularly suggestive of HIV and your multiple negative tests prove that your symptoms were not due to HIV. If they were due to HIV, you tests would have been positive and stayed that way. When symptoms are due to HIV, tests are ALWAYS positive.

Finally, your fears that you may have been infected with HIV or hepatitis by a blood draw are unrealistic. Medical professional are trained to take appropriate precautions and there are no cases in which HIV have been acquired from having blood drawn by a medical professional in the context of routine care. You need to put these fears aside.

My advice: Put your fears aside. There is NO need for testing of any sort for HIV, hepatitis or other blood borne infections. Your continuing problems appear to be more related to anxiety than infection acquired either through touching blood or at the time your blood was drawn. EWH

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22 months ago

Thank you, doctor, for your fast reply. I know that no one gets HIV or other bloodborne infections from a blood draw. But having typical ARS symptoms AND 10 DAYS after that test made me very worried.

I just want to have answers to my following questions:

1) Is feeling small lymph nodes in my elbow crease (where the blood was drawn) indicate that i got some sort of infection from that needle? (I didn't have them in my other arm).

2) You mentioned that when symptoms are due to HIV, the test is always positive, but is my test at 46 days conclusive (you didn't mention that)? If so, is it conclusive even if I have a coinfection with HCV? (I had the 4th gen test).

Edward W. Hook M.D.

22 months ago

I understand your concern but assure you that it was coincidental and unrelated to HIV or other blood borne infection. In reply to your questions:

1) Is feeling small lymph nodes in my elbow crease (where the blood was drawn) indicate that i got some sort of infection from that needle? (I didn't have them in my other arm).

The ability to feel lymph nodes is a clinical skill which not even all doctors have. Your first step is to verify that what you are feeling is a lymph node with your doctor. If it is, then your doctor should help you to sort out why. If you had been infected by the blood draw there would be considerable warmth, redness and swelling- all of which are reasons to see your doctor as well.

Your 45 day test is completely conclusive. When persons have symptoms due to HIV, their HIV blood tests are always positive and remain so. Not everyone however becomes symptomatic from recently acquired infection. In those persons, tests performed any time more than 42-45 days are completely conclusive. Thus, without a doubt, there is no evidence of HIV. Your results are conclusive. If you had hepatitis C, that would no change the reliability of your tests.

Please don't worry. EWH

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22 months ago

Two last questions, doctor, to conclude this thread:

I mentioned that I had generalized lymph nodes (in my neck, one in my armpit, and one in my groin). Can this occur with minor illnesses, or could it indicate a more severe infection?

Regarding my HIV results, do you think I should move on with my life without worry of getting an infection from that blood draw?

Thank you

Edward W. Hook M.D.

22 months ago

As you know, we provide up to three responses to each clients questions. Therefore, this will be my final response.

1. The presence of lymph nodes that can be felt in the neck, armpit, and groin is entirely normal. I can assure you that as a trained clinician, I can find lymph nodes in each of these three locations in most, if not all people. Please do not overstate the importance of the fact you can feel possible lymph nodes in this these regions.

2. I know you’re only think, but urge you to move on without concern. You do not have HIV!!! There is no reason for continuing concern. There is also no reason for additional testing.

It is past time for you to MoveOn. EWH.

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22 months ago

Thank you, doctor, for all your clarifications. I will do my best to move on. Have a great day.