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Can HIV Be Contracted By Needle Pricking During An Acupuncture Treatment?
Question: I am an acupuncturist and I just had a needle stick while disposing of needles into my sharps container. Two stuck into my thumb, but very superficially, barely just the tip of the acupuncture needle. These needles had been in this container for some time. There was no visible blood on them nor any on me when I removed them form my thumb. Am I at risk?
Brief Answer:
Your HIV risk is negligible only.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
You had not mentioned whether those needles were used one or a fresh one. No problem if they are fresh and unused. But as you mentioned that you stuck with those needles while disposing them into the sharp container means those were used one. As you had mentioned that those needles were in the container for sometime. HIV can not thrive outside the body or body fluids for not more than few seconds. So there is no possibility for the needle stuck was infectious. So you need not worry. Your HIV risk is negligible only.
Dr S.Murugan
Your HIV risk is negligible only.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
You had not mentioned whether those needles were used one or a fresh one. No problem if they are fresh and unused. But as you mentioned that you stuck with those needles while disposing them into the sharp container means those were used one. As you had mentioned that those needles were in the container for sometime. HIV can not thrive outside the body or body fluids for not more than few seconds. So there is no possibility for the needle stuck was infectious. So you need not worry. Your HIV risk is negligible only.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
Yes, they were used needles.
And for Hep B and Hep C risk? I understand that Hep C can only live for 16 hours and Hep B for 7 days outside the body. I treated only one person today who has neither of those. And the last time I placed needles in that container was perhaps a month ago. Long past those windows of time. What do you think of the risk for Hep B & C?
Thank you.
Yes, they were used needles.
And for Hep B and Hep C risk? I understand that Hep C can only live for 16 hours and Hep B for 7 days outside the body. I treated only one person today who has neither of those. And the last time I placed needles in that container was perhaps a month ago. Long past those windows of time. What do you think of the risk for Hep B & C?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Transmission of Hepatitis B and C is also unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
When those needles were not used recently within a weeks time the possibility of transmission of Hepatitis B and C also unlikely. Not to worry.
Dr S.Murugan
Transmission of Hepatitis B and C is also unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
When those needles were not used recently within a weeks time the possibility of transmission of Hepatitis B and C also unlikely. Not to worry.
Dr S.Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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