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Frequently asked questions
What to do if you find a used syringe?
- Do not attempt to recap the syringe;
- Find a rigid-walled, puncture-resistant, sealable container;
- Find and put on latex/rubber gloves if possible;
- Bring the container to the needle/syringe;
- Place the container on the ground beside the needle/syringe;
- Do not hold the container upright in your hands as you are disposing of the needle/syringe;
- Pick up the needle/syringe by the middle of the barrel;
- Keep the sharp end of the needle/syringe facing away from you at all times;
- Place the needle/syringe in the container sharp end first;
- Securely place lid on the container, holding the container at the top;
- Remove gloves (if appropriate) and wash hands with running water and soap;
- Place the sealed container into the rubbish bin, or preferably into a Community Sharps Container Disposal Bin;
- Other items that have come into contact with blood should be disposed of in the same container as the used needle/syringe or placed into double plastic bags and then into rubbish or placed into a Community Sharps Container Disposal Bin; and
- Advise children to inform an adult if they find unsafely disposed of needles/syringes.
Source: LGAQ and Queensland Health
Managing a needle stick injury
It is important to stay calm. To date, there are no published reports of HIV, Hepatitis C or Hepatitis B infection being acquired by a member of the public after injury from a discarded used needle in the community in Australia. This is probably because HIV, and Hepatitis B and C viruses do not survive for long outside the body.
Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing 2005.
The following actions should be undertaken to manage a needle stick injury:
- Stay Calm;
- Encourage the wound to bleed (gently squeeze);
- Wash the area with cold running water and soap (if available);
- Apply an antiseptic and band-aid;
- For advice on the need for HIV or Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing, counselling and possible Hepatitis immunisation you should, as soon as possible, contact your:
- Supervisor;
- Local Doctor;
- Logan Hospital;
- Sexual Health Clinic; or
- Community Health Centre.
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