Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Test

How It Feels

You may feel nothing at all from the needle puncture, or you may feel a brief sting or pinch as the needle goes through the skin. Some people feel a stinging pain while the needle is in the vein. However, many people do not feel any pain (or have only minor discomfort) once the needle is positioned in the vein. The amount of pain you feel depends on the skill of the health professional drawing the blood, the condition of your veins, and your sensitivity to pain.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: March 1, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine
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