Jul 11, 2003
IS IT CORRECT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FROM NEEDLE IS RARE.AND FOR TRANSMISSION VISIBLE BLOOD SHOULD BE PRESENT ON THE NEEDLE?PLEASE HELP ME................. AND YES UR AT RISK ONLY IF U INJECT THE FLUID WITH A USED NEEDLE..NOT IF U HAVE A ACCIDENTAL INJURY............. ?
| Response from Mr. Kull
HIV transmission through contact with needles is only likely to occur when people share injection needles for drug use. Transmission occurs through accidental needlestick injuries in healthcare settings, but the incidence of this actual transmission is quite low. One source estimates a .3% risk of HIV infection after an accidental needlestick exposure to HIV-infected blood. Factors that might increase the risk of transmission are: depth of the puncture, size and type of needle (hollow-bore needles pose a greater risk), where the puncture occurs (vein and artery punctures are greater risk), and the viral load of the host. Punctures that produce spontaneous bleeding may pose a greater risk.
So, unless you are sharing injection needles for drug use, or you were had an accidental needle puncture in a healthcare setting, you should not be worrying about accidental exposures.
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