Needlestick injury

by Kevin
Gender: Male
Filed under: Web categories

I am an HIV-positive doctor.

I was infected courtesy of a lapse in concentration and a needlestick injury at work.

The prescribed dual post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was taken for one month but I tested positive 8 weeks later regardless.

Contrary to popular belief (especially among doctors) this is indeed possible and doctors in a high-prevalence setting like South Africa need to take occupational exposure to HIV seriously and complete their full one-month course of triple-ARV PEP.

I am still trying to make sense of what happened to me and why... I have my good days and my bad days. 

I have made drastic changes in my career path to ensure that I am in a low-risk environment. I wish you better luck than me.

I will continue to search for ways to contribute to my fellow man at my own pace.

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HIV transmission

For clear and detailed information on HIV transmission, you can view the content of our publication HIV transmission & testing online.

View this resource >
Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.