anyone know what the chance of catchin aids from a needle?

one of the guys trod on one, didn't stick in him as far as he can tell but got me thinking is it possible to get it like this?

Yes.

Tell him to see a doctor soon.

makes me wonder about open shoes now. ****ing drug addicts

AIDS, Hepatitis & a variety of other communicable diseases can be caught from a hypodermic needle that punctures the skin, providing that the person previously using the needle suffered from them.

this is ****ing scaring the **** out of me

You might not even know you've stepped on one

Edited due to content which may be misconstrued



[Edited by Diablo - 7/9/2003 10:56:07 AM]

My bro got stuck by one when he was searching someone who was arresting. the guy said he had nothing in his pockets, but obviously had, and he had aids.

A worrying time for my bro, all clear in the end, but the suffering in the waiting was torture for him.

Andy

This happenned to my friend too, a bit worse for wear in Covent Garden in the early hours sat down in shop doorway, put his hand on a used needle. Had the test done, all clear but a very worrying time.

He was told the risk of HIV was very small, but nonetheless obviously alot more than not touching the needle in the first place.

this is a rather obvious reason why drug taking using needles is bad. If they want to risk their own lives then fine but they are causing others worry or harm and that's not on

Hello

As mentioned above, HIV doesn't last very long outside of the body so there shouldn't be too much risk from the needle unless it was fresh.

However, your friend should still go to the doctor as there is a whole variety of interesting things that he/she might catch.

Steve.

he only stepped on the syrnge part though. didn't get punctured thankfully

I've just spoken to him and his bird is a nurse, apparently it's hep that is most common in these needles and it lasts longer than the aids virus

Mr Carpet Cleaner,

The anti-scoob is talking absolute rubbish TOTAL ****E.

I fail to understand why anyone would disseminate totally fallacious and false information on a matter as serious as this. Does Mr (Mrs?) Antiscoob work in the Medical profession? How does he/she know this? A pub myth? If you don’t know then why offer an opinion?


ALL needles should be treated wit the utmost care. Its not just HIV (AIDS) that you need to worry about, Hepatitis either B or C can kill you as well.

If you have had a needle stick PLESAE go to the local A+E where they will dealt with it appropriately.

Oh and FYI re viability of HIV see
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/410301_3
which you may not be able to visit if you're a non-medic so I've snipped this bit.

Viability of HIV-1 in Syringes taken from The AIDS Reader

In these simulated field conditions, the effect of blood volume, HIV RNA titre, and temperature on length of virus survival have all been assessed; each of these variables influences HIV survival and syringe infectivity. *************The remarkable finding of viability of greater than 1 month under some circumstances ****************gives further weight to the argument that removal of infected syringes (for example, by needle and syringe exchange programs) is a logical and needed prevention strategy.

I hope this helps.

Rob (in the Medical profession).

I didn't tell him not to get checked, I merely pointed out that HIV is not the greatest risk in this case. Do you disagree that there is more likelihood of catching something other than HIV by treading on a needle?

Rob:

Really? Okay. I was told a long time ago, that HIV couldn't survive very long.

Steve.

You said and I quote,

HIV is a very fragile virus, it doesn't last long outside the human body - a matter of seconds, so the risk of catching HIV in this way is very low.

That is TOTALLY wrong. What qualifications have you for making such a comment? Read it on the internet did you? I PERSONALLY know someone who caught HIV from a dry needle.

Spout your rubbish down the pub mate, where it would be more appreciated.

Rob.

I feel for anyone that has caught HIV, in any way, but just because you know someone who's caught it from a dry needle, it doesn't make it common.

My question stands, do you disagree that HIV is not the greatest risk in this case?

If I got aids from a needle I'd waste as many smack heads as poss before I kicked the bucket

Cleaner, you'd catch HIV from the needle, not AIDS.

kinda splitting hairs. the end result is the same. I'd be gutted if this happens to me

CC

Just learn to keep yourself out of the gutter & you'll be OK ;)

Re Rob and Antiscoob - Antiscoob is correct in the information he has given. I am a senior doctor in A&E and if the contact is unknown ie cannot be traced no health authority in the UK currently reccomends HIV antiviral treatment for a needlestick injury.
However medical advice is required re the local infectious dieases specialist who will be aware of local incidence of viral infections in addicts who will be able to tailor the treatment for this individual.
Will likely reccomend tetanus if not covered , accelerated Hep B immunisation if not known to be immune +/- antibiotic treatment.
Attend your local A&E this is not an unusal presentation and all departments should have a treatment protocol for this problem.

PS - don't worry even worst case scenario Hep<0.1% transmission and HIV so unlikely I dont know the figures.

Diablo, please explain why my post has been removed. It's not in the least innaccurate, a fact that's now been backed up by another member of the board.

Since my post has been removed for no good reason, I'll reassert. The chance of catching HIV by treading on a discarded needle is incredibly low. The HIV virus is fragile and in most circumstances it does not survive outside of the body for more than a few seconds. There are much greater risks than HIV from an injury of this sort.

Diablo - I'd appreciate it if you'd tell my why you believe what I have said to be wrong. I can back it up if necessary, although I'd say that given the supporting evidence from an A&E doctor, that won't be required.

must say all this is quite reassuring

I'm not at all reassured that mods will delete posts without knowing what they are talking about.

Needles are a risk and must be treated with care, I'm not disputing that. However, the risk is not nearly as great as Rob seems to think.

I'd say if a senior member of staff on an A&E unit agrees with me, there is no justification for any moderator to edit my post claiming "factual inaccuracies".

Interesting opinions.

One thing I will note its Antiscoobs impeccable responses to differing views, something I can't say about Robs contributions.

As an addition, many thanks to brendy for backing up my information.

For example, based on North Cumbria.

http://www.ncbugs.com/SharpsinCommunityInjuredPersonLeaflet.htm

Overall the risk from an "unknown" discarded needle that pricks someone in North Cumbria is estimated at

1 in 7,000 for hepatitis B
1 in 150,000 for hepatitis C
1 in 5 million for HIV

In the case that you know for sure the needle is contaminated:

"The risk of becoming infected is different with each virus and will depend on the type of injury and amount of blood contact, so for a needle known to be contaminated with blood the risk of infection form a prick is 1 in 3 hepatitis B, 1 in 30 hepatitis C and 1 in 300 HIV."

There are so many statistics CC, but whatever, there has got to be a risk from a druggie's needle so he has got to get it checked as advised. Just hope it will be alright for him.

Les :(

I note you fail to specify under what circumstances this was found, or if those circumstances would apply to a needle laying around, probably outside, rather than incubating somewhere warm?

Evidence shows HIV can live outside the body for a while in the right circumstances but these are not the circumstances in which a needle laying around outside is likely to find itself.

In this case, the chances of catching HIV are very low.

And, FYI, I too work in the medical profession, in a field not unrelated to HIV, as it happens.


You're right that my original post makes it sound as though HIV never lasts long outside of a host, which is obviously not right. I've changed the post to reflect this.

[Edited by TheAntiScoob - 7/8/2003 2:56:52 PM]

The anti scoob, or whoever you are.

One of my work colleagues is married to a GP. She (the GP)does not entirely share your views on the danger element and on the blanket assumption that HIV only lives for a "few seconds" outwith the human body.

As you yourself have stated, there are many factors involved.

There are opposing views on this thread. You are claiming to have been the subject of aggressive moderating due to your post being edited. Her comment to me was "thats a dangerously innacurate comment to post on a BBS"

Personally I'm happier to run with the medical opinion of someone I know to be a trained GP than someone hiding behind a new username for whatever reason.

No offence to our A & E resident, but, sorry, anyone could claim to be anyone on the web. The deletion stands.

I am happy to edit the comment if you consider it unfair and a slur on your character (whoever that may be)

Oh, and as for where I have been?

Working, mate, and having a life.

D



[Edited by Diablo - 7/9/2003 11:04:23 AM]