[Question #12103] What should I do?
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10 months ago
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I really don’t get out much. A famous DJ came into town and I bought a ticket. Went to a club downtown where he was performing. It was absolutely phenomenal techno dance music. I had a few drinks and was dancing. As you know it’s a dark room with lights and lasers and a dj in front. I was in the group dancing. Was really vibing and dancing well. All the sudden I feel a slight prick on my right shoulder blade. Felt like a needle, a very small tiny needle. Then, a second time. I turn and look and see this skinny guy wearing a dark baseball cap drawing his hand and arm away from where he made contact. I just look at him like wtf and turn back around and keep dancing. It did not feel like a finger or hand. I’ve had a few hands hit me during the night and this did not feel like a hand. It definitely felt like a needle prick. I am rather worried now about having been stuck with a HIV contaminated needle from that man. What are the chances of contracting HIV? Should I start PrEP or something? It has now been just about 24 hours. What should I do?
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10 months ago
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Time is running out to start PEP, if needed, so I would appreciate a response as soon as possible please. Thank you.
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10 months ago
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The first time he hit me with the needle it was light, but the second time when he came in for seconds in the same exact place was harder and more painful and noticeable. Definitely a needle from what it felt like.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
10 months ago
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Sorry for the delay in responding. The site is not staffed 24/7. I'll be glad to comment.
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While dancing you felt two pricks which might have been needle sticks associated with a strange person behind you. You are wondering if someone might have put you at risk for HIV in this way. Did either of the sticking sensations you experienced draw blood? If not, this was almost certainly a no risk event.
If it drew blood the question becomes what was going on and could you have gotten infected. I can provide the following information:
1. I have never heard of someone being assaulted and acquiring HIV in this way.
2. If a hollow point needle was involved and the needle had previously been stuck into someone with untreated HIV, the risk of infection is less than 1% (i.e. chances that IF that you were stuck with was a hollow point needle previously used on a person with untreated HIV, there is a greater than 99% chance you would not become infected.
I hope this information is helpful. I am skeptical that you are at risk for HIV or other blood borne infections from the events you describe and in your situation would not seek PEP although obviously that is a personal decision. EWH
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10 months ago
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Does the fact that this person pricked me with the needle twice increase the chances of contracting hiv?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
10 months ago
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I notice that you did not answer my question about whether or not the possible prick you experienced drew blood. I repeat, if there was no bleeding, there is no risk even if the unlikely scenario you describe occurred.
IF you were exposed the risk if multiplicative- any risk present would double with two pricks which drew blood, triple with 3, etc. EWH
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10 months ago
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Can you also elaborate on the importance of drawing my blood, because it was his blood I assume that he injected by needle into me?
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10 months ago
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No, i do not believe I drew blood, because the injection site was very small. It was a needle and usually needles don’t cause bleeding during injection. Sorry, I didn’t answer because I thought it was a rhetorical question.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
10 months ago
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Thanks for the clarification.
To infect someone through a needle stick the needle must go deep enough into the skin of the person being stuck to get the infectious material into the blood stream of the person who is stuck. If the "stick" did not draw blood it was not deep enough to transmit infection.
As you know, we provide up to 3 responses to each client's questions. As this is my 3rd response the thread will be closed shortly without further responses. I really would not be worried if I were in your situation. I hope you'll be able to move forward without concern. EWH
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10 months ago
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And thank you for your answers!