[Question #3941] Concerned over possible risks of HIV/HEP C over needle reuse

85 months ago

Dear Doctor,

Thank you first of all for helping me out here.

In December 2015, I had some sexual encounters. I was scared to test. However on 20 May 2018, I went ahead and tested at a leading lab in Malaysia - BP Healthcare. My situation is as below:

20 May 2018 - Did HEP A, B, C Test and HIV 1/2 ag/ab (CMIA). Results were non reactive. Lab: BP Healthcare. I did not see the phlebotomist opening a new syringe/needle, but did observe as she was inserting into my vein, the tip of the needle was clean and also the syringe was empty. I was also the FIRST customer for the day.

4 June 2018 (14 days after my first test) - Did HIV1/2 ag/ab (CMIA) again. Results were non reactive. Lab: BP Healthcare. I did not see the phlebotomist opening a new syringe/needle, but did observe as she was inserting into my vein, the tip of the needle was clean and also the syringe was empty. I was also the FIRST customer post lunch for the day.

They use the conventional TERUMO brand syringe and needle which states single use only, but it was already ready on table for me to be tested.

Recently am having a fear if they may have reused the needle and could I have contracted any of these disease due to the blood test itself.

What is my potential risk and would you recommend a retest just to be safe?

Would a CMIA ag/ab test anytime now (30 days) would be conclusive?

Please do help me doctor. Thanks!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

85 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.

You are way overthinking and over-analyzing this situation. The details of how your blood was drawn make no difference in reliability of these tests. And no reputable lab, in any country, re-uses blood drawing equipment these days. Why would it make any difference if it was "already on the table"? Anyway, in the past 30 years probably not one person, anywhere in the world, has acquired HIV or any other blood borne infection during blood drawing. It doesn't happen.

Your negative tests were done well after the testing window for all tests done, and the results are 100% reliable. And there is absolutely no possibility you have been infected as a result of the blood draw procedures. Do not get retested.

I hope this information is helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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85 months ago

Dear Doctor,

Thank you so much for calming me down with your feedback!

The reason I began to feel nervous and fearful was that after my blood test on 20 May 2018, I started having mild sore throat and rash. Hence, I repeated a test on 4 June 2018 (2 weeks later). Both sore throat and rash seems to be around even till now - 6 weeks. The rash comes anywhere in the body and disappears within 2 hours and reappears elsewhere. The sore throat is not painful at all, rather mere discomfort. Also, the lab did ask me to sign a consent form that states they are not held responsible for any blood borne infection/disease as part of their procedures. Appears that they only take this consent if we are requesting tests for infectious disease. This built up to the fear as well.

If you could enlighten me with a few queries below, it will really help me:

Is my RASH and sore throat something to worry about in connection to HIV, HEPATITIS or any blood borne diseases? I am already immuned to Hepatitis B.
Many forums and many people are saying an ag/ab CMIA test is conclusive post 28 days. Some are saying you must re-test post 90 days (12 weeks) to be completely sure of your status as the test doesn't check for HIV 2 ag. May I seek your opinion on this matter? Regardless of exposure, even in cases of like mine, if a ag/ab CMIA test is indeed conclusive? This information will really help me with the right knowledge.
A silly question - but I really hope you can assist - If indeed there is blood in the needle (the length of the needle was probably just the length of a little finger, does it actually get into your vein during blood draw? The phlebotomist, pushed the syringe plunger in midway and pulled out to get the blood drawn into syringe. I am curious because if HIV would really survive in a hollow bore needle overnight or over 2 hours.

Thank you so much once again doctor, and my apologies if my questions do sound silly and doesn't make sense. Your feedback and support will really help an individual get out of this anxiety.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

85 months ago

1) The HIV tests, including the one you had, are among the most accurate diagnostic tests ever developed, for any medical condition. If tested long enough after the last possible exposure, the results always overrule symptoms and exposure history. Your results prove you did not catch HIV during the exposures last December and that something else is the cause. The same is true of viral hepatitis. See a doctor if your rash and sore throat continue or you otherwise remain concerned, but they are not due to any blood borne virus.

2) This has been discussed innumerable times on the forum. The AgAb tests are 100% conclusive any time more than 6 weeks after the last possible exposure (usually 4 weeks, but always by 6 weeks). Same for HIV2 as for HIV1.

3) Who knows? If there were blood in the needle, it might get into you. But since there is no chance of the needle being contaminated, this is obviously a pointless worry.

It isn't that your questions "don't make sense". They do. But they do reflect unusual levels of anxiety and obsession about these things. That's not a criticism, just an observation. But you should consider counseling if these thoughts continue to occupy your mind and interfere with day to day life and happiness. I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.

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85 months ago

Dear Doctor,

Thank you so much for your feedback. I truly appreciate all the good things you and team are doing to enlighten people like me.

The RASH comes quickly and goes off in few hours and comes elsewhere - believe this is not typical of blood borne disease as per your feedback.

So am I 100% safe to believe that I do not require any further tests and even a test to confirm that the blood draw was safe - am reading it this way.

Thank you so much and my best wishes to you and team once again.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

85 months ago

Correct, a rash that quickly comes and goes does not fit with any blood borne infection.

Yes you are 100% in believing you do not have any of these infections and do not require any further tests.

That concludes this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful.

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