Stabbed finger with needle after giving horse West Nile Vaccine yesterday. Should I be concerned?

[Color_of_Light]

I’d just given a horse a WN virus vaccine, then the needle poked the side of my index finger pad between knuckle and first finger joint. It bled a lot. I cleaned it with the closest thing, peroxide, because I was on my way out the door. Wrapped it up. Today it’s barely sore but there is a bruised area more on the center of my finger pad, not to the side where the needle poked me. The bruised area is about half of my finger pad, faintly dark purple in color. Do I need to be concerned?

Does this mean I’m vaccinated for WNV now? :sadsmile: I’m more concerned about having some autoimmune response from traces of the vaccine.

I emailed my doctor but haven’t heard back yet.

[DawningDreams]

Being a vet tech, I’ve stabbed myself plenty of times. Most of the time, it’s not a big deal - wash, bandaid, and leave it alone. However, I have seen some nasty reactions (I work at a small animal practice so not experience with WNV pokes). If the bruising gets worse, there is any streaking, swelling, numbness, extreme pain, etc. or If you feel ill suddenly, go to an Urgent Care place asap.

You can always go in anyway to get a tetanus booster and some antibiotics just to be sure. Hopefully you’ll be just fine!

[Color_of_Light]

@DawningDreams

Being a vet tech, I’ve stabbed myself plenty of times. Most of the time, it’s not a big deal - wash, bandaid, and leave it alone. However, I have seen some nasty reactions (I work at a small animal practice so not experience with WNV pokes). If the bruising gets worse, there is any streaking, swelling, numbness, extreme pain, etc. or If you feel ill suddenly, go to an Urgent Care place asap.

You can always go in anyway to get a tetanus booster and some antibiotics just to be sure. Hopefully you’ll be just fine!

Thank you so much for replying! I’m UTD on my tetanus shot. The last booster was 1 1/2 years ago. My main concern is the vaccine, and what it could do to my body. Having an AI sucks! Any little thing can set off your immune system, and it’s not easily calmed down.

[DawningDreams]

I can totally understand, having an AI myself. It’s definitely a possibility so going to your doctor just for the peace of mind may be worth it. I personally haven’t had any reactions from rabies, parvo, feline leukemia, etc. but I’m always very careful because of the possibility of a response.

[vxf111]

I think odds are you’ll be fine but this warrants a call today if they don’t email you back.

I stabbed myself by accident with the tiny tiny needle while I was giving my horse an allergy shot. OMG did I have a reaction at the site!!! It was hugely swollen and really really hurt.

I would call your PCP back and just run this by them in case anything in the vaccine might cause a reaction, and keep an eye on the site in case it starts to swell or look funny/worse.

Separately I poked myself giving a cat lactated ringers. That is NOT a small needle. And it bled like I had been cut open with a knife. And remained quite a nice wound for a while!

These things were made for going into big muscles, not tiny fingers

[Color_of_Light]

@DawningDreams

I can totally understand, having an AI myself. It’s definitely a possibility so going to your doctor just for the peace of mind may be worth it. I personally haven’t had any reactions from rabies, parvo, feline leukemia, etc. but I’m always very careful because of the possibility of a response.

Thank you. There is nothing that can be done if I do. No meds lower the antibodies that I have. Not sure if a steroid would be a very temporary help.

[Color_of_Light]

@vxf111

I think odds are you’ll be fine but this warrants a call today if they don’t email you back.

I stabbed myself by accident with the tiny tiny needle while I was giving my horse an allergy shot. OMG did I have a reaction at the site!!! It was hugely swollen and really really hurt.

I would call your PCP back and just run this by them in case anything in the vaccine might cause a reaction, and keep an eye on the site in case it starts to swell or look funny/worse.

Separately I poked myself giving a cat lactated ringers. That is NOT a small needle. And it bled like I had been cut open with a knife. And remained quite a nice wound for a while!

These things were made for going into big muscles, not tiny fingers

I’m still waiting for her to respond to my emails. I previously sent another one for something else that’s pretty urgent. I’m going to call soon if I don’t hear back before much longer.

[HPFarmette]

Okay hoping OP is fine…what is an AI??? IME artificial insemination…Accidental Injection? Allergy something?

[vxf111]

Autoimmune

[HPFarmette]

Thanks vxf111

[newhorsemommy]

I stabbed myself after giving my gelding an estrone injection (for a stifle issue). I will NEVER make that mistake again, it was like the “Exorcist” at my house that night, and I have an iron stomach. Evil, evil hormones

[Gamma]

@vxf111

I stabbed myself by accident with the tiny tiny needle while I was giving my horse an allergy shot. OMG did I have a reaction at the site!!! It was hugely swollen and really really hurt.

I wonder if you share allergies with your horse. I have stabbed myself an embarrassing number of times with mine’s allergy shots (he’s picked up this wonderful little head toss/skin flinch trick–even if he has one inch of slack in his halter) and I’ve never had a reaction.

[vxf111]

@Gamma

I wonder if you share allergies with your horse. I have stabbed myself an embarrassing number of times with mine’s allergy shots (he’s picked up this wonderful little head toss/skin flinch trick–even if he has one inch of slack in his halter) and I’ve never had a reaction.

Actually we do share the alfalfa allergy, which probably explains the reaction

[Lord_Helpus]

@vxf111

Autoimmune

Artificial Insemination is more fun to fit into the context here.