Hello Doctor, you have a really great site. I have OCD, so this fear could be completely irrational, but I can't even think about anything else. I've always been very worried about having HIV but finally got tested three weeks ago. the test was negative, thank goodness. However, last week I went to give blood. I got turned away due to low iron after the finger prick, so I didn't even donate blood, but now I'm very worried about the finger prick. I know Red Cross professionals are supposed to throw used needles away every time, but what if she for some reason reused my needle? I didnt get to see if she took a new one from the container, she had one sitting there when I sat down. Do you think there is a chance I could have contracted HIV this way? If she did reuse a needle, what are my chances of getting HIV from the finger prick? Thanks so much for reading my question, I'm sure it sounds crazy.

Hello,

You state that "this fear could be completely irrational." BINGO! I couldn't agree more!

You can get HIV from a prick, but that's an entirely different kind of prick than a Red Cross finger prick!

Worry about your OCD being OOC (out of control), not contracting HIV from an impossible source, OK?

Dr. Bob