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What Are The Chances Of HIV Transmission Through Needle Pricks?
Question: My mother pricked her finger with my Aunt's insulin pen (for administering insulin in her stomach region) . My Aunt is undergoing dialysis and had a few blood transfusions due to her kidney issues. I am worried if my mother coud have contracted any disease via the pin prick as i am aware that the standard ELISA test is not able to screen donor blood reliably for HIV/HPV etc (AIIMS report, XXXXXXX 2009). The insulin needle had last been used 3 days back and immediately after the needle prick my mother pushed blood out of the wound and washed with soap water nad applied dettol.
Brief Answer:
Practically no risk of contracting infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
The most dreaded blood transmitted infections are HIV infection and Hepatitis B virus infection.
You have mentioned that the needle was used 3 days back.
HIV and hepatitis B viruses are very fragile viruses.
They could have not survived for 3 days in the needle hub or needle hub.
Is the HIV and hepatitis status of aunt known to you? I am of the opinion that these tests must have been done for your aunt before starting dialysis, so refer to those reports of your patient.
Thus, practically, there is barely any risk of contracting any of these infections.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Practically no risk of contracting infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
The most dreaded blood transmitted infections are HIV infection and Hepatitis B virus infection.
You have mentioned that the needle was used 3 days back.
HIV and hepatitis B viruses are very fragile viruses.
They could have not survived for 3 days in the needle hub or needle hub.
Is the HIV and hepatitis status of aunt known to you? I am of the opinion that these tests must have been done for your aunt before starting dialysis, so refer to those reports of your patient.
Thus, practically, there is barely any risk of contracting any of these infections.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hello Doctor,
Thanks for your answer.
My Aunt has been receiving transfusions about ~2 units every month or so. She was tested for HIV/Hepatitis about 2 months back which was negative.
Last transfusion was taken on 6th of Aug. She was again tested yesterday for HIV/Hep but results are not out yet. I am worried if the recent transfusions could have the viruses which I assume would not show up in ELISA done yesterday as I have read it often takes about ~6 weeks for the viruses to show up? So is there is a remote possibility that the blood could have latent virus which would not show up in her recent blood tests?
Reading about the inaccuracy of ELISA in the 2009 XXXXXXX report I am wondering if , as a precaution it would be useful to get some tests done for my mother? Or if my aunt's report turn up negative, is that good enough?
Thanks for your answer.
My Aunt has been receiving transfusions about ~2 units every month or so. She was tested for HIV/Hepatitis about 2 months back which was negative.
Last transfusion was taken on 6th of Aug. She was again tested yesterday for HIV/Hep but results are not out yet. I am worried if the recent transfusions could have the viruses which I assume would not show up in ELISA done yesterday as I have read it often takes about ~6 weeks for the viruses to show up? So is there is a remote possibility that the blood could have latent virus which would not show up in her recent blood tests?
Reading about the inaccuracy of ELISA in the 2009 XXXXXXX report I am wondering if , as a precaution it would be useful to get some tests done for my mother? Or if my aunt's report turn up negative, is that good enough?
Brief Answer:
Transfused blood is free from infections.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Blood which is obtained from blood banks is tested for blood borne infections.
Unsafe or untested blood is never transfused to any one.
So, the blood that has been transfused and will be transfused will be free from all blood borne infections.
You can wait for the latest HIV/ hepatitis B tests in your patient.
If negative, there is nothing to worry.
ELISA test for HIV is quite a sensitive test to detect HIV infection.
Studies and done regularly, however, one study from a particular institute does not put a well established test to disrepute.
No test is 100% sensitive or specific.
However, most practical, most cost-effective test with reasonable sensitivity and specificity is used for screening purposes.
Further confirmatory tests are done once ELISA is positive.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Transfused blood is free from infections.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Blood which is obtained from blood banks is tested for blood borne infections.
Unsafe or untested blood is never transfused to any one.
So, the blood that has been transfused and will be transfused will be free from all blood borne infections.
You can wait for the latest HIV/ hepatitis B tests in your patient.
If negative, there is nothing to worry.
ELISA test for HIV is quite a sensitive test to detect HIV infection.
Studies and done regularly, however, one study from a particular institute does not put a well established test to disrepute.
No test is 100% sensitive or specific.
However, most practical, most cost-effective test with reasonable sensitivity and specificity is used for screening purposes.
Further confirmatory tests are done once ELISA is positive.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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