HIV From Using Needles

• Sharing needles or syringes, even once, is an easy way to be infected with HIV and other germs.

• Sharing needles to inject drugs is the most dangerous form of needle sharing. Blood from an infected person can remain in or on a needle or syringe and then be transferred directly into the next person who uses it.

• Sharing other types of needles also may transmit HIV and other germs. These types of needles include those used to inject steroids and those used for tattoo-ing or ear-piercing.

• If you plan to have your ears pierced or get a tattoo, make sure you go to a qualified technician who uses sterile equipment. Don’t be shy about asking questions. Reputable technicians will explain the safety measures they follow.

How can someone using injectable drugs eliminate or reduce his/her risk of HIV infection?

• Drug treatment programs: Risk of infection from used syringes can be completely avoided by entering a drug treatment program and ending use of injected drugs. Drug treatment programs are available throughout New York State to assist an individual in reaching recovery.

• Syringe exchange programs: Risk of infection can also be avoided by using a new syringe for each injection and by not sharing syringes or works.  Syringe exchange programs have been authorized to give syringes and needles to injection drug users without a prescription in order to prevent the spread of HIV and other bloodborne diseases.

 • Cleaning needles and works: Risk of infection can be reduced by always cleaning injection equipment (needles and works) immediately after use and just before reuse, even if it seems to be packaged as new.

 

1. FIRST, wash out the syringe with clean water by drawing the water up through the needle to the top of the syringe, shake the set, then squirt out . DO NOT REUSE THIS WATER. Repeat at least 3 times.

2. NEXT, draw undiluted bleach up through the needle to the top of the syringe and shake the set. Leave the bleach in the syringe for at least 30 seconds and squirt out. DO NOT REUSE THIS BLEACH. Repeat this entire step at least 3 times.

3. LAST, rinse the syringe and needle with clean water. Draw the clean water up through the needle to the top of the syringe, shake the set and squirt it out. DO NOT REUSE THIS WATER. Repeat this step 3 times.

In addition to steps 1, 2 and 3, one can improve cleaning effectiveness by taking the set apart, removing the plunger from the barrel and soaking them in bleach for at least 30 seconds.

NEVER shoot or drink the bleach.

However, if the cooker must be reused, soak it in bleach for at least 30 seconds and then rinse it with clean water.

Since bleach loses its effectiveness with exposure to light, store all bleach for cleaning needles and works in a container that does not let light pass through.

NEVER assume a syringe is new, even if it seems to be packaged as new.