Health - Risk of infection from accidental needle stick.

[dr.gonzo]

"I'm sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but I couldn't find a section dedicated solely to health and or syringes.

I have a heroin dealer that is HIV positive, and while I was putting away his flashlight in his bag of random stuff, I accidentally poked myself on the hand with what I'm sure was his used syringe. It was my own fault, I was sloppy on xanax and h and wasn't more careful. Anyway, I'm going to get tested soon, but I was wondering what the chances are of acquiring HIV this way. I know it's possible, but it's not like I used the point to shoot up, which I think would up the probability significantly. I would just like the input of anyone knowledgeable in these matters.

I have previously had hepatitis B, however I think this was from sharing needles with some unsavory characters in a dark chapter in my life. Sharing needles is in a different category, and far more destructive and careless. I didn't know I had hep B until I learned that I had gotten over it, but it explained a lot of pain that I had endured prior to learning about it.

PLEASE, be safe, be smart, be careful, and don't share needles.

I've just recently been charged with possession of needles without a prescription because I live in a county without needle exchanges, and now that I'm doing forced treatment (which I can't stand), I've argued with the counselors that their views that complete abstinence is success and any use at all is failure is harmful and an outdated way of looking at things. They are actually against 'harm reduction'. They even said that harm reduction and having needle exchanges makes it easier for people to kill themselves. I was shocked to hear this, and I'm not easily offended, but I was definitely disturbed by the ignorance of these twelve step AA freaks."

-Jack

Update: I just read something on the risk of infection on impactednurse.com :

'In most cases the actual risk of transmission of a blood borne pathogen following a needle-stick is extremely low. The most commonly transmissible diseases of concern to nurses are the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Hepatitis B: Of these HBV is the most transmissible, with a risk of infection following exposure of around 6-30%. (Staff that have achieved immunity after being covered with the hepatitis B vaccine are practically immune.)
Hepatitis C: Infection from HCV following a needle-stick is around 1.8%.
HIV: Risk of becoming infected with HIV is a mere 0.3%.'