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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Obsessive–compulsive Disorder

Hi. Is it at all possible to catch HIV from a needle-stick injury in a public place. I worry so much about it. I have been diagnosed with OCD as Im always checking under leaves etc around my home. I accept i have OCD and am being treated but Id like to know how rational or irrational the fear is. Is it a justified fear or is it a waste of time?
Mon, 27 Jul 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
hello user , i understand your concerns - you have not detailed that how you got the injury - however It is extremely unlikely that HIV infection would occur following an injury from a needle discarded in a public place. However, if the incident involved a needle and syringe with fresh blood, and if some of the blood was injected, infection is theoretically possible and prophylaxis is indicated.in health care settings when the same thing happens we test the source patient - even with confirmed positive source the risk of infection is about 0.3 % cases - the institution of prophylaxis thus in unconfirmed cases although one may take - but the drugs cause troublesome side effects and interactions with other medicines . you can pay a visit to nearby hiv testing and counselling centre for further details and counselling.
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Suggest Treatment For Obsessive–compulsive Disorder

hello user , i understand your concerns - you have not detailed that how you got the injury - however It is extremely unlikely that HIV infection would occur following an injury from a needle discarded in a public place. However, if the incident involved a needle and syringe with fresh blood, and if some of the blood was injected, infection is theoretically possible and prophylaxis is indicated.in health care settings when the same thing happens we test the source patient - even with confirmed positive source the risk of infection is about 0.3 % cases - the institution of prophylaxis thus in unconfirmed cases although one may take - but the drugs cause troublesome side effects and interactions with other medicines . you can pay a visit to nearby hiv testing and counselling centre for further details and counselling.