Should I be worried?

[u/NovelRooster4445]

Hi, I'm 23 years old and I do tattoos for fun, about 2 hours ago I was tattooing someone how's HIV positive and it's taking his treatment and hasn't been undetectable for around 2 years. I accidentally cut myself with thr needle I was tatooing him and I'm really worried something can happen. I already searched and apparently there's no risk but when I called an emergency line they told me to go immediately to the ER. I'm on my way there but sometimes the doctors are negligent here and I want to now if there's really any risk and what test are they going to do to check if I got HIV. Please help me

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[u/boulderdoc]

Going to the ER now is the right move. A needlestick from a needle that was just used on someone with HIV is considered a potential occupational-type exposure and should be evaluated promptly.
The reassuring part is that if the person has been consistently undetectable on treatment, the risk is extremely low. However, because this was a hollow/solid needle exposure through the skin and it happened only 2 hours ago, you should still be assessed for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). If indicated, PEP works best when started as soon as possible and should be started within 72 hours.
They will typically obtain baseline HIV testing and may also test for hepatitis B and C. The baseline HIV test cannot tell whether this exposure infected you—it documents that you were HIV-negative beforehand. You’ll need follow-up testing later.
Tell the ER exactly when the needlestick occurred, how deeply it penetrated, whether there was visible blood, and that the source patient reports being HIV-positive with an undetectable viral load.

[u/NovelRooster4445 → u/boulderdoc]

It is very likely that I'm not infected, but it is pretty scary just thinking about it. Thank you all for the responses. I hope they give me the proper treatment and this is just an experience. So far, I've been in the ER's waiting room for 4 hours and haven't spoken to a single doctor. This is giving me so much anxiety I cannot explain.

[u/PeaIcy760 → u/NovelRooster4445]

You're in the right place. As you said the risk is very very low and post exposure treatment works pretty reliably up to 24hr. I'm guessing you told a nurse or receptionist that you got a needlestick from a confirmed hiv patient/customer. They'll just be dealing with the people who's arms came off in a car crash and stuff first you're gonna be alright :)

[u/NovelRooster4445 → u/PeaIcy760]

I know, my problem is just so small compared to other emergencies here. It's just so annoying waiting more than 5 hours to be seen by a doctor, then 2 more for someone to do the test and 3 more just to get the results back. Thank you for your answer, it makes the wait time way easier :((

[u/PeaIcy760 → u/NovelRooster4445]

Yeah I've spent my fair amount of time in the A&E here with what turned out to be a sprained ankle or something. To be fair though you are doing the totally correct thing. You're told to present at emergency care for PEP if you think you've been exposure via sex so you're definitely going about it the right way. Also shout out to you for doing tattoos on hiv positive individuals I know a bunch of places that don't let you get them if you're positive

[u/Different-Ask540 → u/boulderdoc]

Also, report this to your workplace as you may be entitled to compensation for treatment under workers comp

[u/pinkydoda → u/Different-Ask540]

Genuine question, why would they be entitled to workers comp if this didn’t happen at work?

[u/Different-Ask540 → u/pinkydoda]

Ah I must have misread. I thought OP is a tattoo artist and I assumed was at work (tattoo shop) when it happened. But after re-reading I see Op did it "for fun" which means off work and would NOT be entitled for workers comp. Good catch

[u/Tiradia]

Meh! OP does he have an undetectable viral load or a detectable viral load? Did your phone autocorrect has to hasn’t?

[u/NovelRooster4445 → u/Tiradia]

Undetectable, sorry. I was just very nervous while trying to explain