Anxiety about diseases

Does anyone ever get paranoid about catching terrible diseases at work? I have a terrible fear of hiv and hepatitis c. Over the summer, I started an iv on an HIV+ patient and have been so paranoid that I touched something. I know I possibly touched the tegaderm label that had dried blood on it. Next evening I was vomiting and then the next week I had a slight sore throat and genreal malaise that lasted a week or 2. No fevers. I was tested about 2 months later after a possible needlestick from a hep c + patient and was negative. The hep c patient I attempted several times to get an iv on didn't feel a stick but after I left the room noticed a small pink bump on my palm that looked almost like a pinprick. Then maybe 4 weeks later I started haVing RUQ pain on and off and I'm just scared. I have suffered depression because of all this and thinking about getting out of direct patient care. Thoughts? Has anyone else ever gone through this?
You are being paranoid. You can't get HIV from dried blood on a tegaderm. You are far more likely to catch something like the flu or Norovirus from a patient than you are HIV or Hep C.

Perhaps it may help to read up on transmission of HIV and Hep C. For example: HIV does not survive long outside the human body (such as on surfaces), and it cannot reproduce.

I understand being concerned. You are beyond that point. Acute care can be scary. I would start with talking to a mental health provider before you leave acute care. I wish you the best of luck with this. Anxiety can get the best of us sometimes.

How likely do you think you could stick yourself with an iv needle and not feel it?

You need to seek help from a mental health care professional. This is not a normal or healthy level of concern. There may be hope for you through medication or therapy if you otherwise like direct patient care.

Quote from ka2rnHow likely do you think you could stick yourself with an iv needle and not feel it?

Quote from ka2rnHow likely do you think you could stick yourself with an iv needle and not feel it?

I'm sorry. I just have been thinking about it constantly and I know I am depressed. I was just hoping to get some support from other nurses about it.

Quote from ka2rnHow likely do you think you could stick yourself with an iv needle and not feel it?

ESME12, sometimes you (and many others as well) make me snort when I'm laughing while reading posts! To the OP, I wasn't laughing at your post, I would talk to someone because this seems be a disabling fear for you, but I can't help but laugh at some of the genuine answers you have received so far. And yes, needle sticks hurt...if it happens, you'll know and it will probably bleed...mine did anyways!

I know. I have had 2 needlesticks and felt them. That spot on my hand was just odd.

I think you should talk to someone (your doctor) about anxiety/depression because your paranoia isn't rational. I mean that in a non offensive way. It's just not rational to be that afraid of catching a transmissible disease from the level of contact/exposure you have had. Have you done education and researched the actual likelihood of catching a disease this way? If so, do you still feel paranoid? If you are informed/educated and still obsessive then you really need to talk to your provider about your emotional and mental health. I wish you good luck! I have family members with severe anxiety and depression who allowed their paranoia and irrational fears to dominate their lives. It is not a happy way to live.