needles

[sharon]

My 9 year old son has been pierced with a needle on the beach at Hayling Island. It broke through the skin as it was bleeding. My husband took him to a local doctor who said it was very rare that something would happen to my son, but as im sure youre aware I am worried sick and do not know what to do. Please can anyone advise and tell me what the risks of him contracting hepititis or aids, and what I should do now.
Many thanks
Sharon

[drtom]

Sharon,
this is every parents nightmare but your own doctor is actually quite right, the chances of contracting a blood bourne virus is very low indeed. HIV is a very delicate virus which does not live for long out of the body and there have been no cases reported of anyone in the world getting the infection from a discarded needle. Hepatitis C is similarly difficult to contract and there are no cases reported. Hepatitis B however has been contracted from discarded needles and this is something that we can guard against with a vaccine or a shot of immunoglobulin directly after the incident. It is quite unusual for drug users to have this infection in the infectious variety but it may be worth enquiring about hepatitis B immunoglobulin tomorrow.
In general the main problem with needle stick injuries is the mental anquish that you are currently suffering.

Dr Tom