Hi, thanks for writing in with your concerns. Your mom did the right thing by reporting the needlestick and going to the hospital for the recommended testing and immunizations. Transmission of HIV is rare with needlestick injuries. This is because that HIV dies quickly when the blood in the needle is cold and dry. Hepatitis B and C are more likely to remain making it possible to transmit them this way. Now that time has passed ( best right away or within 72 hours)  to take the 28 days of antiviral drugs, it is recommended that she do the routine follow up testing. So that would mean testing now to know her own current HIV status ( as you said this was done at the hospital along with hepatitis A, B and C screening) then testing at a month ( the new 4th generation HIV test will cover this) and then at 3 months to be sure. In the unlikely event of  HIV being transmitted and the HIV test is positive, then the first steps are redoing the testing to be sure there is not a lab error, checking HIV viral load and immune system markers, connecting with a doctor who is an expert in HIV care and starting on HIV medications right away, and also connecting with support like peer navigators. Usually this would happen within a week of finding out HIV positive result. If your mom lives in British Columbia and has health care coverage, then her testing, visits to doctor and if needed, HIV medications are free. Because of early connection to care and medications, people with HIV can now live normal healthy long lives. As you already probably know, HIV is not transmitted by kissing or hugging or sharing food or clothes.  

Let us know if this does not answer your question or if you have any more questions or concerns.
Health Nurse