brw549
Tenderfoot
- Mar 26, 2018
- 5
- 13
- Detector(s) used
- Whites Treasure Pro
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
As a Paramedic needle stick injuries are a reality in my line of work. It also can happen if you handle trash, even if it’s not medical waste. According to the CDC, some 385,000 health care workers accidentally stick themselves with needles every year.
As someone who enjoys metal detecting you may never think that you would be at risk for this type of injury. This weekend I was checking around an abandoned home in our historic district and one item that I found was a used needle. Many of these older structures are being used by homeless individuals who have mental and behavioral issues.
Your chances of catching a disease from a single needle stick are usually very low. About 1 out of 300 people who are accidentally stuck with a needle from someone with HIV get infected. But for hepatitis B, the odds can be as high as nearly 1 in 3 if the you hasn’t been vaccinated for it.
Diseases Spread by Needles
• Hepatitis B & C
• Syphilis
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles
• Epstein-Barr, a type of herpes virus
• HIV
What to Do If You Get Stuck
If you get stuck with a needle, act quickly.
1. Wash it. Clean any accidental sticks right away. Rinse and wash the area well with running water and soap. No need to use antiseptics or disinfectants.
2. Get treated. Tell your doctor what happened. Their plan will depend on your situation, including how deep the needle went in, where it stuck you, and your medical history.
If your doctor decides you’re at risk for infection, they can treat it several ways
Protective Measures. Some vaccine shots, like those for hepatitis B, diphtheria, and tetanus, help your body’s immune system kick in and protect you from those infections.
Be aware of the area you are metal detecting in, wear gloves and always wash your hands. You have no idea who may have used the area you are digging in prior to your arrival.
As someone who enjoys metal detecting you may never think that you would be at risk for this type of injury. This weekend I was checking around an abandoned home in our historic district and one item that I found was a used needle. Many of these older structures are being used by homeless individuals who have mental and behavioral issues.
Your chances of catching a disease from a single needle stick are usually very low. About 1 out of 300 people who are accidentally stuck with a needle from someone with HIV get infected. But for hepatitis B, the odds can be as high as nearly 1 in 3 if the you hasn’t been vaccinated for it.
Diseases Spread by Needles
• Hepatitis B & C
• Syphilis
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles
• Epstein-Barr, a type of herpes virus
• HIV
What to Do If You Get Stuck
If you get stuck with a needle, act quickly.
1. Wash it. Clean any accidental sticks right away. Rinse and wash the area well with running water and soap. No need to use antiseptics or disinfectants.
2. Get treated. Tell your doctor what happened. Their plan will depend on your situation, including how deep the needle went in, where it stuck you, and your medical history.
If your doctor decides you’re at risk for infection, they can treat it several ways
Protective Measures. Some vaccine shots, like those for hepatitis B, diphtheria, and tetanus, help your body’s immune system kick in and protect you from those infections.
Be aware of the area you are metal detecting in, wear gloves and always wash your hands. You have no idea who may have used the area you are digging in prior to your arrival.
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