A Nigerian doctor has set social media on fire after sharing a terrifying encounter with a patient who allegedly tried to stab him with a needle after being told she was HIV positive.
The chilling incident, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the doctor identified as @silverpenydr, has sparked outrage, fear, and intense debate online — especially among healthcare workers.
Patient Breaks Down After HIV Diagnosis
According to the doctor, the incident happened while he was working at a general hospital in Lagos.
The female patient tested positive for HIV during admission, and he was assigned to break the news to her.
He explained that she became extremely emotional, burst into tears, and flatly rejected the result, insisting that the test must be wrong.
Trying to reassure her, the doctor approved a repeat HIV test to put her mind at ease.
Second Test Still Positive
Two days later, during his routine ward rounds, the doctor checked her file and confirmed that the second HIV test also returned positive.
He approached the patient again, calmly explaining that:
- HIV is not a death sentence
- Treatment is available
- Life can still go on with proper care
But what happened next, he said, nearly changed his life forever.
“She Suddenly Tried to Stab Me”
While standing beside the patient and documenting her notes, the doctor said she suddenly pulled out a needle and lunged at him, attempting to stab him.
According to him, only his thick ward coat prevented a possible needle puncture and exposure.
“What saved me was the thick ward coat I was wearing. Otherwise, it could have been a very different story,” he wrote.
Shocked and shaken, he immediately escalated the incident to the Head of Department, and the patient was discharged the same day.
Forced to Start HIV Drugs
Despite not being certain whether the needle pierced his skin or not, the doctor said he could not take chances.
He immediately started HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) — emergency drugs taken after possible exposure.
The experience, however, came at a cost.
“The side effects of the drug almost ended me,” he revealed.
A Question That Still Haunts Him
Beyond the physical trauma, the doctor admitted that the incident left him psychologically disturbed.
“The question that still haunts me is: why would someone want to deliberately infect another person with HIV?” he asked.
Social Media Reacts
The story has triggered massive reactions online, with many:
- Condemning the patient’s alleged actions
- Calling for better security and mental health support in hospitals
- Expressing concern over the risks healthcare workers face daily
Others also urged compassion, noting the psychological shock that often follows an HIV diagnosis.
Bottom Line
What should have been a routine medical disclosure turned into a near-fatal encounter, highlighting the danger frontline doctors face — not just from diseases, but from unpredictable human reactions.
One thing is clear:
Hospitals save lives — but sometimes, they also put their own staff at risk.
Related: South Korea triples AI spending in 2026 budget
