Accidental Needlestick Exposure: Seeking Guidance - Health & Safety

Question
Dear Dr-  This sounds like a unusual question but I am very worried as I have little experience with needles, healthcare etc.  I have been taking care of my grandmother who had a operation and is a diabetic and has Hep C.  I did not know about her having this until later on.  After giving her a insulin injection I could not find the cap and bent the needle over the barrel of the syringe on the garbage can.  I wrapped the whole syringe in paper towels with tape.

The thing that concerns me is that I may have been stuck without knowing it.  I felt nothing and did not see any puncture marks but also did not have a visual on the needle all the time while I was wrapping it.  Is it possible to be stuck with a needle in the hands-fingers and not know it?  Thanks

Answer
you would have known if you were stuck...... it hurts.... The good news is hep C does not transmit easily.... HIV doesn't transmit easily and this transmits less easily than HIV, so a scratch probably won't do it.  A puncture with injected blood would do it but you would definitely know about it.  If I were you and your GM, get a hard walled plastic tupperware container, cut a slit and put needles into that.     

If this does not reassure you, then get a hep c test in 3 months to confirm that you are healthy, but this "exposure" will not transmit hep c.