Needlestick injury

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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