Lethal injection?
Question
I was at the cinema recently and felt myself being pricked by something. I've heard rumours of people leaving needles with HIV infected blood on the seats. Could I be infected?
Answer
According to AVERT, the risk of HIV transmission from discarded needles is extremely low. They state that "for HIV infection to take place in this way the needle would need to contain infected blood with a high level of infectious virus. If a person was then pricked with an infected needle, they could become infected although there is only a 0.4% chance".
You might also find it reassuring to know that, according to the Terrance Higgins Trust, "HIV is quite difficult to pass on except in specific ways, for example through unprotected sex. Everyone can rest assured that sitting in a cinema presents no risk of contracting HIV".
The main ways in which someone can become infected with HIV are:
- by having unprotected penetrative intercourse with someone who is infected;
- from injection or transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, donations of semen (artificial insemination), skin grafts and organ transplants taken from someone who is infected;
- from a mother (who is infected) to her baby; this can be during the course of pregnancy, at birth and through breastfeeding;
- by sharing unsterilised injection equipment that has been previously used by someone who is infected.
If you are still concerned that you may have been at risk of HIV, you can get a free confidential HIV test at your local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. It is worth remembering that, according to AVERT, many people who go to have an HIV test have actually been worrying unnecessarily.
If you'd like more information about HIV or Aids you can call AVERT on 01403 210202 or send an email to info@avert.org.
Updated: 18/07/2006
Question answered by YouthNet in association with Brook
