HIV Fact or Urban Myth

Most of us have read the e-mails warning us of HIV infected needles found in movie theater seats and phone booth coin returns. The warnings tell of a girl who becomes HIV positive after being stuck by an HIV contaminated needle sticking out of a theater seat. Some variations of the story quote the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirming the presence of HIV in the suspect needles. So is this fact or fiction? Here's the real story.

How Does HIV Spread From Person to Person?

Unfortunately, discarded needles and syringes are sometimes found outside the health care setting. Officials believe that most of these come from injection drug users while a very small portion are improperly discarded needles and syringes used by people who need prescription injectable medicines. For the most part, these syringes pose little if any danger to the general public. While healthcare workers are probably at the highest risk of occupational HIV exposure, there are other groups in the community that are also at risk. These groups include:

• sanitation workers
• housekeepers
• policemen, firemen and paramedics

People from these groups do on occasion get infected with HIV by improperly discarded needles.

Healthcare Workers - Population At Risk

It's also true that improperly discarded syringes can transmit bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis b, hepatitis c, and HIV. However, the incidence of accidental needle sticks causing HIV infection is fairly uncommon. In fact, there are currently no reported cases of HIV infection from an accidental needle stick outside of the health care setting. In fact, the CDC does not recommend testing discarded needles at all. Instead, they suggest each needle stick be handled on a case by case basis, taking into account the risk of infection according to the source, the degree of exposure, and the type of injury sustained. Any exposure should be reported to the local police and an evaluation from a physician or emergency room be done. The local health department should also be made aware of any incidences involving improperly discarded needles.

What To Do In A Needlestick Emergency