Related Subjects:
|Herpes Varicella-Zoster (Shingles) Infection
|Chickenpox Varicella Infection
|Varicella Cerebral Vasculopathy
|Herpes Viruses
|Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO) Shingles
|MonkeyPox
|Mumps
|Measles
|Rubella (German Measles)
|Epstein-Barr Virus infection
|Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections
|CMV retinitis infections
|Toxoplasmosis
🩸 Needlestick injury (HIV+ source):
- Allow wound to bleed freely, do not scrub or suck.
- Risk of HIV transmission ≈ 1 in 300 if untreated.
- PEP (3 antiretrovirals × 28 days) reduces risk fivefold.
- Always seek expert input (ED or Occupational Health).
⚠️ This can be traumatic – psychological support is as important as medical care.
⏱️ Immediate Actions
- If you puncture your skin with a used needle:
- 💧 Encourage bleeding (hold under running water).
- 🧼 Wash with soap & water (no scrubbing / no sucking).
- 🩹 Dry & cover with waterproof plaster/dressing.
- 🚑 Seek urgent advice → ED or Occupational Health (if at work).
- ❌ Do not try to manage informally with colleagues – expert assessment is essential.
🧷 What Counts as a Needlestick Injury?
- Injury from used needles, syringes, scalpels, lancets, or broken glass.
- Needles may carry blood-borne viruses: HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C (also CMV, EBV rarely).
- 🧪 Blood samples may be taken from you (and, with consent, the source patient).
- ⚠️ Risks also apply to needles used for injecting drugs.
💊 Will I Need Treatment?
- If risk = low, no treatment may be required. If risk = high, consider:
- 💉 Hepatitis B vaccination (if not already immune).
- 💊 HIV PEP (3-drug regimen × 1 month) if high risk.
- 💊 Antibiotics (e.g. for cellulitis risk).
- Other support:
- 🏥 Occupational health advice (including work adjustments / sick leave).
- 🧠 Psychological support (counselling for anxiety / trauma).
- 📋 Report incident immediately to supervisor/manager.
📌 Key Points
- PEP is most effective if started within 1 hour (do not delay while waiting for results).
- Document exposure clearly (type of needle, depth, visible blood, source patient status).
- Follow-up blood tests at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
- Reassure: transmission risk is low, especially with prompt action.
