Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 7/7/2006

Question
i closed my eyes beacuse i was in tears and i told her to tell me when she has finished. i am living in a safe place with a friend.
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Followup To

Question -
Hello,

I asked you a question about my mum trying to infect me and the ways it can be done. I am out of the house and last week i went for a test.

I was so down that i closed my eyes and told the nurse to tell me when it is over.

When i went home i was browsing the net and came across this webpage about nurses giving hiv to black people in the uk.

http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=7991

i went to that same hospital to have a blood test and i am more worried than before.

i think i am getting paranoid about the nurse what if she ised a needle that she hasnt cleaned properly or sterilized. Please help me as i feel that everyday of my life goes from bad to worse.


Answer -
I read the article you provided. It is VERY scary to think that health care professionals would do something so heinous and I can understand your fear. However, the article indicated that those claims were unfounded- so it is not certain that that ever took place. If it did take place, I would imagine that the hospital got itself in gear really quickly so it wouldnt be found out...which would lead to ensuring better and ethical standards of care. I honestly do not think you have anything to worry about. Think back- did you see the nurse open the package for the needle? Did you look at the needle? There would have been blood in it if she were going to inject you so you would have seen that. Remembering these things may help you to feel better about the situation. I am happy to hear that you are out of the violent situation with your mother. Are you living somewhere safe now? Do you have a social worker or a therapist? Maybe your fear about contracting HIV in such unusual ways may be related to your mother. It may be something worth talking to someone about. Once again, I am here if you have any questions and I will try to help as best I can. Good luck!

Answer
I am very glad to hear that you are in a safe place. That is the most important thing. Please dont worry yourself over your visit to the hospital. I'm sure everything was done according to protocol. Let me know if I can help you with anything else. How old are you, by the way? Im just wondering if you are a minor.