[Question #7836] Blood test and symptoms.

51 months ago

Hello doctors and good morning in my time, I have to say that the last time I have had sex was 16 months ago and was protected, I tested 4 times in different laps after a year from the encounter for all STD and came back non-reactive. And its my first to be clear. So far so good!

I really was having a good time and have forgive myself and forget about it and enjoying life until I found 3 days ago a one big (blister or sore or ulcer or a pump) Near the anus I don’t know how to describe it English is not my first language. But after searching in google I believe it’s anal abscess or fistula near the anus. I searched google and the give me few reason for it doesn’t really apply on me and the main cause is HIV! I freaked out! And start asking myself how? Can it be the blood test? The hookah pipe? I am really worried and concern! So I have few questions for you doctor regarding everything I am concern about and want an advice and an assessment and what should I do.

Regarding blood test:

1- it’s possible someone get infected in blood test?

2- if the nurse moved out the plastic cover before inserting the needle does this means it’s new? and it’s never get back because of the accidental stuck.

3- in butterfly needle it’s hard to use twice because of the clotting does in it?

4- it’s blood withdrawal not the other way around and for this needle it’s hard that’s something got into my bloodstream at least without noticing?

5- there was at least 3-5 min before the blood withdrawal took place after the last patient the virus maybe dead for this long?

6- I am concern about two blood test because it’s the only tests that’s didn’t open the package in front of me so the patients before me in these two procedures was an Asian maid and an old man with his son ( it’s not likely they have something does in it ? )

7- I asked the nurse if it’s new needle and she said yes and laughed about it and said ( do you think I washed before using? ) I don’t believe she has a reason to lie.

8 - what really concern me is what I believe it’s anal abscess or fistula after 8 weeks of the last blood withdrawal, what it’s cause? It’s a early symptoms? Or it’s stage 2? It’s gets smaller after 3 days. But still there.

9- regarding the hookah pipe I was with friends and took a pipe has been used before and the last time maybe a day ago!

and have washed it with water and napkin before use in brief. does this transmit anything like std?

10- do you think I should test?

Thank you doctor and I am sorry about all these questions.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

51 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your confidence in our services. I'll start by pointing out that nobody in the world is believed to have been infected while having blood drawn, at least no in the 30+ years since cessation of equipment re-use. Even back then, it was rare if it occurred at all. That comment directly or indireclty covers all your quesiotns, but to assure no misunderstanding:

1) With modern equipment and procedures, it is impossible to catch HIV (or any blood borne infection) by having blood drawn,

2,3) The equipment is designed to make it impossilbe -- or at least very difficult -- to use the same needle or other equipment on two different patients. And why would the lab or blood draw technician want to do that anyway? The equipment is very cheap -- there is no incentive to cut corners on it.

4) Yes, this would be difficlt to happen without you noticing.

5) How long the virus survives doesn't matter. That's not the reason there is no risk.

6) Most people feel no need to watch the package being opened. I've had my own blood drawn maybe 30 times in the past 2 years; I never once paid attention to how the technician opened or used the equipment.

7) I understnad why the nurse laughed. I also would have laughed at that question!

8) There are many causes of anal absecess and related problems. HIV is not one of them. (Anal abscess could occur in people with HIV, but only in someone already seirously ill with multiple other AIDS problems. Since you are otherwise healthy, you can be sure this problem has nothing to do with HIV.

9) HIV is not transmitted by shared hookahs, pipes, cigarets, or any other smoking equipment. Mouth contact of all kinds is low to zero risk; among other things, saliva kills HIV.

10) There is no reason for you to test for HIV, unless you have had a realstic possible exposure, like unprotected sex with a new partner.

I hope these replies are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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51 months ago

Thanks a lot doctor for answering the questions and clarifying every details.

There is abquastion has not been answered which is :

1- if the nurse moved out the plastic cover of the needle before inserting the needle does this means it’s new? and it’s never get back because of the accidental stuck. Cause I am sure every blood draw in my life they always remove the plastic cover, if that’s mean it’s new I really gonna have so much relief.

2-And for the (abscess , fistula , perianal abscess , hemorrhoid and related problems)

As I understand there is multiple and many causes not just three causes as it’s said in google, and it’s not necessarily indicated hiv or if it indicated at all.

3- it’s just one small (tear or blister or sore or ulcer in the perianal area has been much smaller after I use antibiotics. No pain no difficult bowel movement no blood. does this indicate anal abscess? I know doctor I should ask questions like these but I am ignorant in these matter and I really need some knowledge.

4- I really should not focus on symptoms anymore no matter how they are, because I tested negative multiple times after a year and it’s impossible to get infected with anything by blood withdrawal for million reasons.

5- I am Clean and in the future as long as I don’t have unprotected sex or injected drugs I should not be worried about hiv?

Thanks doctor again for your help.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

51 months ago

1) I'm not an expert in the equipment used to draw blood. I would think if you saw the nurse remove the needle cover, then it had not been used previously.

2) Correct. Most such anal problems have nothing to do with HIV.

3) It sounds like maybe nothing is wrong, but the only way to know is to see a doctor about it.

4) Correct: You should ignore symptoms as a possible indicator of HIV. Even when symptoms are typcial for HIV, usually there is some other cause.

5) You correctly understand my advice.

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51 months ago

Thank you doctor for answering my numerous questions, I know I should not ask many question but as a person who suffers from anxiety I can’t help it, and a professional opinion like yours doctor it’s really helps

you can conclude the thread I’m pleased and I got all the information I needed. And just for me to be sure and for not misunderstood anything and to help me in the future,

1- blood test are 100% safe and nobody gets infected in that’s manner and people deal with it everyday so I should stop worrying.

2- whatever symptoms I may having right now ( the anal thing, sore throat every morning, yesterday and today I noticed every time I scratch my hair it’s falls a little , persistent foot numbness) are not hiv related, because I never had a risk and it’s not specific.

3- the only way for an adult to concern about hiv is ( unprotected anal and virginal sex , sharing IV needle which is injecting the opposite from blood draw)

4- in the near future I should trust the health system whatever blood draw I may have, dental visit, surgery if I needed one god forbid, vaccination and so on, as a normal Pearson I should not worry or think even slightly of an infection because it’s an irrational thinking and does not happen.

5- again there is no reason for me to test unless I engaged in a risky behavior.

Thank you again doctor

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

51 months ago

These are all true statements, showing you correctly understand what I have said and my advice. I'm glad to see you're on board with the truth!

That completes the two follow-up exchanges included with each question and so ends this thread. It seems to have helped you -- I'm glad! Best wishes and stay safe.

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