What are needlestick injuries?

A needlestick injury is when a sharp object, such as a needle or syringe, accidentally breaks the skin.

Needlestick injuries can happen:

• during medical procedures
• when handling medical waste
• when used needles are not disposed of properly

A needlestick injury can expose you to blood-borne viruses and dangerous substances. However, this risk is very low.

How do needlestick injuries happen?

Needlestick injuries can happen anywhere needles or syringes are present.

That means they can happen in:

• hospitals
• healthcare clinics
• aged care facilities
• the community, if needles aren't properly disposed of
• at home

In healthcare

Needlestick injuries in healthcare settings can happen:

• when a healthcare professional is using a sharp device for a medical procedure
• after a sharp device has been used, before it's thrown away safely
• when a sharp device is not thrown away properly

At home

Many medical conditions might need using needles or syringes at home. These include:

• diabetes
• multiple sclerosis (MS)
• kidney failure
• infertility
• rheumatoid arthritis

If you use needles or syringes at home, there is a higher chance that someone in your home will experience a needlestick injury.

Other settings

You may also have a higher chance of a needlestick injury if you:

• are a farmer or pet owner who needs to inject animals
• use illegal drugs, or share a space with someone who uses illegal drugs
• work in waste management or cleaning services

What are the risks of needlestick injuries?

Blood-borne viruses

Needlestick injuries can expose you to blood-borne viruses, including:

• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Being in contact with these viruses can cause infection and lead to long-term health problems. The risk of infection with a blood-borne virus from an accidental needlestick injury is very low. This is because viruses don't survive for long outside the body.

Your chance of infection is higher if the needle:

• was used by someone who is known to be infected with a blood-borne virus
• was used by someone with a history of injecting drugs
• was directly placed into your vein or artery
• is large and hollow

Dangerous substances

A needlestick injury can expose you to dangerous substances, including:

• medicines
• drugs
• chemicals

What should I do if I have a needlestick injury?

If you experience a needlestick injury, follow these steps:

• Wash the area with plenty of water. If you aren't near a tap, you can use bottled water.
• Once you have washed the area, cover the wound site with a clean dressing or adhesive plaster.
• Do not squeeze or rub the area around the injury.
• Get medical advice immediately.

How are needlestick injuries treated?

For most needlestick injuries, treatment involves washing the area and applying a dressing.

Your doctor may recommend a blood test to check for blood-borne viruses. If you have been exposed to a blood-borne virus, your doctor can prescribe a treatment. This helps to lower your chance of infection with a blood-borne virus. This treatment is known as post-exposure prophylaxis.

If you've experienced a needlestick injury, you may be feeling anxious about catching a blood-borne virus. Your doctor or health provider can reassure you that the chance of transmission is very low. Speaking to a counsellor can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Can needlestick injuries be prevented?

Some needlestick injuries can be prevented with proper safety measures.

The best way to prevent needlestick injuries is to always handle sharp objects carefully. This includes:

• using safety devices, such as needle guards or retractable needles
• never bending a needle
• never recapping needles by hand
• disposing of needles in special sharps containers immediately after use
• never disposing of a needle in a regular rubbish bin

Tips for people who self-inject at home

If you use needles or syringes at home, you should:

• always pick up the used needle by the blunt end — avoid touching the sharp point
• use a sharps container or hard-walled plastic container — don't use glass to dispose of used needles
• store the container out of reach of children
• never fill the container right to the top — seal the lid of the container when it's three quarters full
• always dispose of the container in a special sharps disposal bin

What to do if you find a used syringe in a public place

If you find a used syringe in a public place, what to do will depend on where you are located.

If you are located in the Australian Capital Territory, do not touch the syringe. Call the sharps hotline on 13 22 81.

If you are located in New South Wales, do not touch the syringe. Call the NSW Needle Clean Up Hotline on 1800 633 353.

If you need to dispose of the syringe yourself, follow these steps:

• Find a hard container with a wide top and a secure lid.
• Bring the container to the syringe so you don't have to carry the syringe.
• Place the container on the ground next to the syringe.
• Pick up the syringe carefully by the blunt end — you can use thin gloves if possible.
• Don't recap the needle if the cap has been removed.
• Place the syringe in the container, sharp end first.
• If possible, secure the lid of the container.

After you've safely moved the syringe into the container:

• wash your hands with running water and soap
• place the container in a sharps disposal bin

Resources and support

All states and territories offer a needle and syringe program (NSP). Learn more about the safe disposal of sharps in your state on the National Blood Authority page.

Read more on safe disposal of sharps on the Diabetes Australia's website.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.