Needle Stick Injuries
If you receive 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 local doctor
- Logan Hospital
- a sexual health clinic
- community health centre.
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.