A MOTHER who was attacked with a hypodermic needle has spoken of her anguish after being told she must wait another seven weeks for the results of tests to see if she has contracted HIV or hepatitis.
The 45-year-old, who does not wish to be named, was stabbed with a syringe in August as she was walking a friend's dog.
As reported in the BEN, she came across two youths injecting themselves who then turned and stabbed her in the right arm before running away.
Following the attack in Alfred Street, Moses Gate, the victim has undergone two tests for HIV which have proved negative and visited her doctor for three hepatitis jabs.
Hepatitis leads to inflammation of the liver and is a common problem among drug users as it can be transmitted through contaminated blood when needles are shared.
But she faces a painstaking wait until she finally discovers if the attackers have left her with a deadly disease.
Immediately following the attack she was admitted to the Royal Bolton Hospital suffering from heart palpitations and has described the past two months as a "complete nightmare".
The victim, who lives in Bury Road, Breightmet, and has an 18-year-old son, said: "Going for the HIV tests was awful, even though the staff at the sexual health clinic were so kind, I've got no peace of mind because even though the first two tests have been clear, I've still got to wait another seven weeks.
"I just feel like I'm back and forth all the time between the hospital and doctors and it's a big worry for my son.
"Hopefully, I will be okay. I have just got to plod on and hope for the best, but I find it difficult to sleep and the stress of it all is taking a toll on my health."
Dr Emile Morgan, who is a consultant physician in sexual health at the Royal Bolton Hospital said: "HIV is a disease that takes quite a lot of time to develop and for the antibodies to be picked up in a test.
"Someone could be infected with the virus, but because of the incubation period the antibodies might not be detected by the test.
"Three months after someone has been in danger is the time they would test positive.
"If the patient has been at risk, then that risk has to be assessed and if they have been at particular risk then I wouldn't stop testing after just three months.
"A needle doesn't necessarily mean HIV and if someone was attacked by the needle of someone infected with HIV they would still have only a one in 300 chance of being infected."
A police spokesman today confirmed they are still hunting the attackers who are believed to be aged in their 20s.
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