Common "Needle Contamination" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Needle Contamination

Needle contamination occurs when the push-off top method is used and can get affected by hands contaminated with saliva. The meaning is needle hubs get contaminated with the bacteria upon the opening of injection needles under clinical conditions.

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Does breakout of cold sores indicate that I am HIV positive?

Query: Hello doctor, I had pelvic pain for two to three days. My period was very spotty this month. I did not really have one and my period has always been regular. Could this be a sign and symptom of HIV? I am not pregnant. I get yearly lab tests and everything is normal. I got a yearly TB (Tuberculosis) ...  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. An irregular period is not a sign of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection nor is a breakout of labial herpes (cold sores). An irregular period could be due to other reasons like stress, anxiety, hormonal imbalances of the thyroid,weig...  Read Full »

I had a needle-prick incident. Can I get HIV infection?

Query: Hi,I think I have been exposed to HIV or other blood-related infections. I want to consult and understand how to rule out any unfortunate possibility. Kindly help. I have had a cough for two days. Can I take any test or medicine to rule out HIV?  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. Please mention the following details for clarification: 1. Type of risk exposure? 2. When was the exposure? 3. Please provide your age, intercourse history, and partner details. I will try to help you. To rule out HIV (human...  Read Full »

Will touching the needle before injecting expose me to HIV?

Query: Hello doctor, Yesterday, I took a rabies shot in a pharmacy. The pharmacist touched things like papers and money when talking to other customers. Also, his thumb touched the long part of the needle when he was preparing the injection. However, he did not touch the needle tip, and there was no blood....  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for the query. There is no need to worry. The pharmacists are well trained about the precautions before any injection. Therefore, the chances of transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) by such modes are nil. I hope this helps. Thank you.  Read Full »

How long does HIV survive in a needle used for an HIV patient?

Query: Hello doctor, Five days ago, I went to a private hospital because of a cyst. The nurse at the hospital asked me to take a blood sugar test. She and I have had misunderstandings in the past, and I am worried if she used a used needle to collect my sample. I am sure that the syringe was new, but I am ...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. However, health care workers are trained to follow universal precautions. So they will not reuse needles. If no other patient was present, there is nothing to worry about.  Read Full »

I poked myself with a dirty tattoo needle and ink. What to do?

Query: Hello doctor, I poked myself with a dirty needle and dirty tattoo ink. Both were cross-contaminated with raw pigskin. Do I need medical attention?  Read Full »


Dr. Penchilaprasad Kandikattu

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You need not worry but do not neglect at the same time. I would suggest having a TT (tetanus toxoid) injection as vaccination prophylaxis. Check for any swelling or rash and secondary bacterial infections. Start antibiotics if there is any local swelling and pus form...  Read Full »

What should I do if I have been accidentally exposed to a dirty needle during a blood test?

Query: Hi doctor, I am a 32-year-old female patient who recently had blood drawn for various tests. I am concerned about the possibility of being stuck with a dirty needle during the procedure. Although I am not sure if this actually happened, I experienced mild fever, dehydration, and loss of appetite the...  Read Full »


Dr. K. Shanmuganandan

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Blood drawing is generally considered a safe procedure, and it should not cause fever. Kindly answer the following questions so that I can help you. Was the blood drawing needle disposable and used once? Could you confirm if the vacutain...  Read Full »

Can my low WBC be due to an HIV infection or Pfizer vaccine?

Query: Hello doctor, I had a needle stick exposure before 11 months. When I was trying to insert the IV (Intravenous) in a patient, I ended up poking myself accidentally on my finger. I did a fourth-generation HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody test five months before, and it turned out negative. ...  Read Full »


Dr. Ravinder K. Sachdeva

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. If the last exposure was before 11 months and there had been no further exposure, then your test result for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) will be considered conclusive. Fourth-generation HIV test is highly sensitive and is unlikely to miss infection if there is any. ...  Read Full »

Is HIV infection possible from having blood drawn from a vacutainer needle?

Query: Hello doctor,I went for a routine blood test at a private clinic. The person in the lab used a vacutainer needle to draw blood. After three weeks of that incident, I had an incident of headache and neck and body pain. Also, I had mouth ulcer and rash which I never had before. I do not know if they r...  Read Full »


Dr. Sangeeth Kumar

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Is the needle used by any other patient? Or only for youself?   Read Full »

How long should I wait to donate blood after getting a tattoo?

Query: Hi doctor,I got a tattoo before five months. A blood donation drive is going to happen by next month. Am I eligible to donate blood? How long should a tattooed person wait to donate blood?  Read Full »


Dr. Prakash. H. M.

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Based on your query, my opinion is as follows: If it is from a professional tattoo artist and the needle was changed, then you can donate after a week. We are only worried about allergic reactions. If you are not sure, then the deferral period is usually six months....  Read Full »

What are the possibilities of infection spread from an unsterile needle during my TT injection?

Query: Hello doctor, I have got a TT injection in deltoid of left arm today from a local hospital. After loading injection in casualty the nurse called to injection room, I sat there, nurse cleaned my arm with spirit. After cleaning, I noticed that the preloaded syringe with the needle was kept on the bed...  Read Full »


Dr. Aditi Gupta

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Good to know that you are careful with healthcare. Firstly I would like to know what was the reason to take a TT injection? On a general note, the injection needle scenario you described is completely safe from most serious viral infections, but only a few bacteria may ...  Read Full »

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