How the fuck do I deal with this

[1lifeliveitright]

I've NC for obvious reasons. Just picked up my 17yr old dd from a 'friend's' house where she stayed last night. She's in a right state. She hasn't known this girl long and I don't know her at all but they have other mutual friends and she's gone back to her flat before after nights out.
So dd is crying and has been stabbed repeatedly with a tattoo gun in the leg. It's bruised and swollen and there was apparently alot of blood. Obvious needle mark. I've bathed it and it looks OK but I'm worried about infection. The fucking needle won't have been sterilised either.
I wanted to call the police there and then but dd has begged me not to as no-one does that and it'll have repercussions .
This girl is 18 and obviously dd is still a child. Any advice?

I would. Not least because otherwise she will minimise this.

Plus it really is a stick injury.

Well done for getting her to go.

The problem isn’t the injury, it’s that she’s been stabbed with a used needle. Infection points can be small or even minute it’s the damage it could do internally that is the problem. I don’t imagine she’ll be as blasé after she’s been to hospital.

Good luck OP, again so sorry you’re both having to go through this. Don’t let her lie to the doctors.

@HurryUpAndWait23 it’s a used needle…ofc she needs to go to the hospital ASAP, I’m the same age of OPs DD and even I know that!

You can barely see a puncture wound from an insulin syringe / pen either but if I was at work (HCP) and got a needle stick from a needle that I wasn’t 100% sure was sterile then our protocol would be to go straight to A&E for bloods and potential PEP.

It might not look as dramatic as you first thought but your daughter says her skin was punctured with what sounds like a dirty needle.

You still need A&E.

OP whose time will be you wasting ?? Your daughter’s life could be in danger. Take her to ED like PPs have suggested .ASAP

We're here now. Been assessed but they want to know who else the needle has been used by and she doesn't know

Ffs take her to the bloody hospital, stop fannying around

Ah just seen your update OP my bad

She's just come down. It doesn't look bad at all. I take it she still needs to go?
I feel like I'm wasting their time

Well I'm glad you're there now but why all the dilly dallying? Doesn't matter what it looks like, you can't see what's going on under the skin!

Jesus I hope it turns out ok for her! X

@1lifeliveitright

We're here now. Been assessed but they want to know who else the needle has been used by and she doesn't know

She doesn’t know or is refusing to say?

Does she have a real reason to be scared of this girl? If not, police, and when they turn up your DD will pretty much have to talk to them. Mention the repercussions threat too.

I have a DD the same age and I’d be raging!

@Minfilia She won't know because the needle could have been used by anyone prior to her - which is why she needs to go to hospital for the PEP Risk Assessment.

OP - is that just the one stab wound? Or are the multiple like that, just as in your OP it said repeatedly - I really hope she does not have bruises like that in other places - it's going to be very sore.

Well she won't know everyone who's used it but she can give the details of those she knows.

I'd tell her if she doesn't tell the drs they may involve the police themselves to get to the bottom of it.

Hope everything's ok

Don't lie to her or threaten her with the police - don't upset her trust in staff trying to treat her - there's a chance that there will be a referral made to safeguarding by A and E staff depending on what they find out.

I imagine it’s to gauge how many others have used it? Can she give a number if no details?

Reiterate to her the more evasive she is the more likely the hospital will call the police.

@EyebeIbewe

Don't lie to her or threaten her with the police - don't upset her trust in staff trying to treat her - there's a chance that there will be a referral made to safeguarding by A and E staff depending on what they find out.

This.

I'm guessing they're asking as part of the risk assessment, the fact she has no idea is an important part of the whole picture.

And, of course, the point is, she has no idea. 🤷‍♀️

Hang in there, OP. You've done really well getting her there. You're doing just fine. And I'm guessing you have the patience of a saint to have manoeuvred her to A and E.

Don't forget to commend yourself. It's bloody stressful.

[quote EyebeIbewe]@lljkk A and E can prescribe PEP if it's needed.[/quote]
Thats something that needs to considered very carefully

@Foxmylife Yes I know - hence why I said if it's needed, and mentioned assessments being doing prior to it being prescribed within this thread.

She's probably now shit scared and does not need to be scared further with threats - those comments and suggestions are utterly ridiculous at this time.

What’s PEP?

Post exposure prophylaxis - this is not about what the wound looks like it's about the risk of acquiring hepatitis B, HIV, other blood borne viruses. That's why they want to know who else used the needle. It's part of their risk assessment. They need as much information as they can get to determine if she needs any treatment at this point, follow up with blood tests etc. That's why she needed to go to the ER as they will have local protocols to follow from infectious disease experts.

OP: are you still stuck waiting in A&E?

Hi again OP
Hope you are okay. Good you went to the hospital.
The point is, even if she did name the other girl - you still have no idea how dirty the needle was or who else the girl has done this with/to.
Therefore it is safe to assume the needle could have been used on more than one Jane/John Doe and therefore correct to do PEP to be on the safe side.
I hope the triage came to the same conclusion and you are both home now and safe7feeling better.
Take care x

jeepers. What a carry on..
I think the main thing is having her checked out at hospital.
Hopefully it will be ok and no infections or anything.
Be guided by hospital staff. There is some group that could help but at the moment I can't remember. It supports teens and young adults .
It has been a horrible experience for you both .