While it is possible, I don't think it's too common. I'm a healthcare professional and I have been stuck with contaminated needles in the past. I have never caught anything.

HIV cannot live long outside the body. It dies very quickly. However, there are other diseases...namely hepatitis...that can live in dried up blood and you would be at risk for exposure.

You should never share your lancing device. It's okay to share meters but they should be cleaned between different users. ALWAYS change the lancet after use, whether you plan on sharing or not.

For instance...glucose meters used in hospitals and doctor's offices are used with many different people. Most places use single-use lancets (they are not in a lancing device...once they are used (or "popped"), they cannot be "recocked" to use again). If you want to make sure you keep youself safe, you can switch to these types of lancets. They are more expensive and may be hard to find but I have seen them in medical supply stores.

If you think you have been exposed to any blood borne diseases, get tested.

EMT