HIV Anxiety eating me away

[Freemind80]

I never knew such forums existed and I'm glad to have found some place where I can pour out my feelings.

About 2 1/2 weeks ago a lab tech came to my house to draw my blood (for life insurance purposes).

The tech was an hour late and he was visibly sick (excessive coughing, sniffling, etc.)

From the get go, everything just didn't feel good. He forgot to swab my arm down, didn't give me a paper for my records, etc. Everything he did was just sloppy and "unprofessional."

After he drew my blood and left, that's when the panic slowly crept into my mind. He was sick and hadn't washed his hands.

So all of these thoughts flooded into my brain. What if he was careless and used an already used needle? What if he had pricked his hand by accident and then used it to draw my blood? After all, these techs are on a tight schedule and the needles they use are part of a box set. Maybe he didn't want to waste time.

And then my nightmare started. Couple of days after, I started getting a tight feeling in my chest and my throat was a bit stiff. About 4 days ago is when the severe nausea started to hit me. There were times where I almost threw up. Staring at a computer screen or eating triggered this severe nausea. I tried going to the gym today and had to stop early because of the nausea. 2 days ago the headaches started to come. Today, the right side of my throat is a bit sore.

People tell me I had no risk at all but, a part of me still is extremely scared and a complete mess.

After work I come home and just want to sleep and not think about things. This whole ordeal has drained the life out of me and there are times where I feel like I'm going to completely lose it.

People tell me I'm being ridiculous but these symptoms are eating me away.

Am I being ridiculous?

I'm sorry for the long post.

[.Poppy.]

You've got a nasty bout of anxiety - I feel for you.

Keep in mind that the needles they use aren't simply washed afterwards and then re-used; they are thrown away. The chances of him tossing a used needle back in the box are slim to none.

Also, he was sick but he would have had to have HIV himself, then pricked himself and drawn blood (which you would have noticed) and then used the same needle on you in order to transmit it to you. Again, almost no chance.

If it would put your mind at ease, you can always go in and get yourself tested. It might make you feel better. But I don't think you have anything to worry about

[eeesh]

Did you have sex with him?

[wnsos]

Did you have sex with him?

I think I saw a porn on that once..


Free, don't be sorry for the long post. Lord knows we've all made them! None of us are medical professionals so it's hard to comment directly on symptoms but anxiety can definitely cause those. Otherwise, I second pretty much everything Poppy said.

[Freemind80]

Thanks for the replies. I know some may say im being ridiculous and that my chance was next to zero but i cant shake off these feelings and symptoms.

[lily1]

The man proberbly had the common cold that's why he was coughing and sniffing.

They wouldn't use a used needle not in this day and age. Did he wear gloves? A nurse took my blood a few months ago and she didn't wear gloves.

If you feel strongly you could file a complaint.

[eeesh]

The man proberbly had the common cold that's why he was coughing and sniffing.

They wouldn't use a used needle not in this day and age. Did he wear gloves? A nurse took my blood a few months ago and she didn't wear gloves.

If you feel strongly you could file a complaint.

I've had my bloods taken numerous times these past few weeks.

None have worn gloves I don't think.

Seriously, don't worry about it! Even if he did have HIV (which he more than likely didn't), unless he slept with you - not orally and without a condom - or stuck a needle in himself and then in you, you have nothing to worry about!

[Freemind80]

I've had my bloods taken numerous times these past few weeks.

None have worn gloves I don't think.

Seriously, don't worry about it! Even if he did have HIV (which he more than likely didn't), unless he slept with you - not orally and without a condom - or stuck a needle in himself and then in you, you have nothing to worry about!

Thats my problem. I wasnt paying attention when he drew my blood and my paranoia/anxiety is what if he pricked himself briefly by accident before drawing my blood.