Urban myths abound on the Internet. HIV myths fill our e-mail accounts. I have read several stories on the Internet about people getting stuck by needles in phone booth coin returns, movie theater seats, and gas pump handles. And sadly, AIDS fraud is still out there. Let's separate HIV myths and urban myths from reality.
Dispel the Rumors - 10 HIV Myths that Can Be Harmful
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has received a variety of inquiries about reports of used needles left in coin return slots of pay phones of movie theater seats. These reports and warnings are being circulated on the Internet,by e-mail and even by fax. Some claims have falsely reported that the CDC "confirmed" the presence of HIV in the needles left behind.
What Are Your Infection Risks?
Important Truth!
In fact, the CDC has not tested such needles nor has the CDC confirmed the presence or absence of HIV in any sample related to these rumors. The majority of these claims have no foundation in fact.
Myth - Danger in a Pay Phone
The CDC was made aware of an incident in Virginia involving a needle stick from a small-gauge needle (believed to be an insulin needle) lodged in the coin return slot of a pay phone. The incident was investigated by the local police department. Several days later, after a report of this police action appeared in the local newspaper, a needle was found in a vending machine but did not cause a needle-stick injury.
Discarded Needles Do Turn Up In the Community
It is not uncommon to find needles in the community outside of health care settings. These needles are believed to be discarded by persons who use insulin or who are injection drug users. Occasionally the "public" and certain groups of workers (e.g., sanitation workers or housekeeping staff) may sustain needle-stick injuries involving these inappropriately discarded needles. Needle-stick injuries can transfer blood and blood-borne pathogens (e.g., hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV), but the risk of transmission from discarded needles is extremely low.Hepatitis A, B and C Fact Sheets
Are Discarded Needles Tested?
The CDC does not recommend testing discarded needles to assess the presence or absence of infectious agents. Because HIV does not live long outside of the body, testing a needle found in the community would really serve no purpose.How Long Does HIV Live Outside of the Body?
If a Person Gets a Needlestick, What Should They Do?
Management of exposed persons should be done on a case-by-case evaluation of:
- the risk of a blood-borne pathogen in the source (the discarded needle)
- the nature of the injury and extent of the potential exposure.
Important Information!
Anyone who is injured from a needle stick in a community setting should contact their physician or go to an emergency room as soon as possible. The injury should also be reported to the local or state health department. Depending on the type and extent of the exposure, a preventative HIV treatment known as Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) can be offered to the needle-stick victim.
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Guidelines
As of this time, the CDC is not aware of any cases where HIV has been transmitted by a needle-stick injury outside a health care setting.
