Hi,
I am from India. Recently I had contacted Flu and went to a local clinic. The nurse gave me flu shot vaccine/injection and ever since then i am surrounded with this fear whether he might have given me injection with an used needle or syringe as i noticed that the clinic was not clean and several needles were lying there. I did not notice the nurse tearing a fresh needle to give me medicine. So i would like to know if in case the nurse used a dirty needle on me what are the chances of me acquiring HIV? I am going mad since that day as i feel that in a third world country like India, it is possible for nurses to used dirty needles and syringes on patients. Please help as i have read that such incidents may transmit hiv. What if he used a dirty syringe or a needle previously used on a hiv+ patient to draw blood or to give vaccine. Has anyone till date been infected by such a way? I am in deep fear/anxiety as i simply cannot put this thought behind my mind ever since that day. I understand that flu shot is given intramuscular but still the needle penetrates the flesh and is exposed to blood inside. What if there was blood inside the syringe mixed with flu vaccine medicine? The nurse injected the flu shot needle on my waist muscle and it hurt a bit. So I am very worried. I am expecting a thorough explanation for my situation as I really do not want to come up again and again asking clarification so I want someone to give me full explanation about my case whether I should be worried or not and do i need to test for hiv.
Thanks