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I Attended A Clinic Yesterday In London For Hiv Test

Posted on Fri, 15 Feb 2019

Question: i attended a clinic yesterday in London for hiv test. The nurse used a needle in my arm and the result was negative . I didnt see the nurse open the new needle from the packaging that was used and have been a bit worried that she could have accidentally used an old needle from a previous patient that was not a new one. Maybe it was left from a previous patient and not put in the sharps box and then accidentally reused on me? Is this a possibility? Should I get retested. Im a Bit worried that it wasnt a new needle. thank you. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No need to go for a retest.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Welcome to Ask A Doctor.

In every clinic, the nurses are supposed to use a new needle on each patient while doing HIV test so it is not possible that the nurse had used an old needle for the test even accidentally so don't get worried and there is no need to go for a retest. Be relaxed, calm down and live your life normally. For any further query feel free to ask me again.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (1 hour later)

Thank you. When I questioned her she said to me 'didnt you see me open the package' and then she showed me a couple of bits of wrapping. She seemed guenuine and so I dont know why I feel so paranoid. It was a private clinic and I paid £100. I thought she may have accidentally used an old one but I dont know if this is possible. Ive read horror stories about this thing online and i remain worried. She said in the UK they never use old needles. This could be a general anxiety thing - i wish I had of just watched her open it

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry as there is no risk...

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Welcome back and thanks for following up.

The nurse was absolutely right that no one is using an old needle anywhere, not only in U.K. It's a part of standard practice and everyone everywhere is trained about it beforehand. So, please don't get paranoid because it is just your fear and anxiety of HIV nothing else.

Be relaxed, don't think much and move on with life happily.
For any further help, write to me again at any time.

Thank You

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee