[Question #3450] AT RISK?
89 months ago
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Hi doctor,
I'm a 25 years old healthy female. I just moved to New York City last month.
So this happened yesterday... It was a chilly afternoon and I forgot my jacket in the taxi accidentally. So I was pacing around Times Square in cold and wasn't too attentive with the surrounding. As I was walking on a crowded street, a homeless guy bumped into me. And I've been freaking out since then. I got home and took a shower. I fear he had needles on him and if so, it might have accidentally might have pricked me.
i came home and checked my body, but i couldn't find any evident prick marks.
But I'm still paranoid about the homeless guy bumping into me.
I do understand i couldn't get HIV or Hepatitis just by bumping into him, the prick if any is what is freaking me out.
Should i take any post-exposure prophylaxis? or should i get tested??
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
89 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. I can understand your concern about interactions that might occur in a new environment. That said, the events you describe were of no risk to you. You are correct that HIV, hepatitis and other infections of this sort are not transmitted by causal touching such as bumps, touches or casual contact. Further, had he stuck you with a needle or some other sharp instrument, I am confident you would have known it and detected the needle-stick on self-inspection. Finally, while they represent a group with a higher prevalence of HIV and hepatitis infections than the general population, the majority of homeless persons are not infected. If you were my patient and you asked for PEP based on this event, I would not be comfortable in doing so- the event was no risk and PEP has side effects and is costly. Further I see no medical need whatsoever for testing related to the events you have describe.
I hope this comment helps. Hoping that you enjoy your transition to the "Big Apple", it's a remarkable city. EWH
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89 months ago
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Thank You for your response & wishes. Relieved my fears pretty much a lot.
As I mentioned previously, I did not have my jacket on. And it was really very chilly. So I was cold & numb. That's why I couldn't feel if there was something that priced me or not. I got home after an hour and hopped in the bathroom. Again, fearing if I've missed any micro-punctures that could have been there. I also asked my sister to check and she could not see anything significant.
Do you still think that there was no risk??
Thanks again.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
89 months ago
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These infections are only transmitted when infected material is injected deep into tissue.micropunctures would be no risk. No change in my assessment or advice. EWH---