It can happen to all of us

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http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/mentor/2006/04/24/stories/2006042400

341200.htm

 

 

 

Spread of HIV

 

A few weeks ago, in a movie theatre in Paris, a lady felt something

poked her. When she got up to see what it was, she found a needle

sticking out of the seat with a note that read: "You have just been

infected by HIV."

 

The Disease Control Centre (in Paris) reports many similar events in

many other cities. All tested needles were HIV positive. The Centre also

reports that needles have been found in cash dispensers at public

banking machines.

 

Recently, a doctor narrated a somewhat similar instance that happened to

one of his patients at the Priya Cinema in Delhi. A girl who was engaged

to be married in a couple of months was infected in the same way. Though

the doctors told her family that it would take about six months before

the virus grew strong enough to start damaging the system and that a

healthy victim could survive about 5-6 years, the girl died in four

months, perhaps more because of the shock.

 

We all have to be careful in public places. Creating awareness among

people can help save lives. Can one be infected with HIV by a mere poke

of a needle?

 

S. Dinesh Gopinath, IAS, Director of Medical & Research Division,

Chennai.

 

Dr G. Sathappan, Medical Officer, Occupational Health & Safety, The

Hindu, throws more light on this:

 

 

A RARE mode of transmission.

 

Needle stick/sharp injuries are a comparatively rare mode of

transmission. There are only few such cases reported in the world

despite the fact that millions of healthcare workers are knowingly or

unknowingly handling HIV infected individuals.

 

Despite such a low risk, the unrealistic fear remains a major hurdle in

extending healthcare to the infected individuals. The risk depends on

the concentration of the virus in those body fluids; the depth of

injury, the type of needle (bore) immunogenic status of the patient and

the precautions followed thereafter.

 

Just a mere prick is not proven to cause the spread of infection; the

needle should have adequate amount of blood or other body fluids and the

environment should be favourable to sustain the virus in that body fluid

in the syringe/needle. All viruses die on drying, that is, they require

the right medium for survival with adequate nutrients and temperature.

 

 

 

 

 

Anshul Kapoor | Sr. Software Engineer | Server Sentinel

 

Unisys Global Services - India | 'Purva Premier', 135/1, Residency Road,

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