What happens if you step on a needle

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Lifehacker asked the doctor what the threat of such an injection is.

Who among us in childhood did not believe that a needle should not be stepped on, because it will rush straight into the heart? Many adults believe this too. Cardiologist Philip Kuzmenko, author of the Telegram channel "Doctor Phil", told Lifehacker whether it was worth worrying.

Philip Kuzmenko, therapist, cardiologist, university teacher.

This is almost impossible.

In order for some foreign object to enter the bloodstream, float calmly through the vessels, reach some organ (heart, brain, lungs) and cause serious damage to it, it must enter one of the main vessels (femoral or carotid artery) that are in hard-to-reach places. It is difficult to imagine how exactly it is possible to "accidentally" push a needle or splinter down the throat, and even just get into the artery.

If a splinter or sewing needle sticks into a leg or arm, the most it can do is cause local bacterial inflammation. But with timely removal of it from there and treatment with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine), this is easy to avoid.

If we are talking about a needle from a syringe, then here you need to immediately answer the question: "Where did it come from?" If this needle has just been removed from the sterile package in which the syringe is stored, then it's okay. The loss of a drop of blood is not life threatening.

But if the injection occurred on the street from an unknown syringe that was lying somewhere, this is bad. Typically, these needles belong to drug addicts who often have HIV or hepatitis. In such a situation, firstly, immediately wipe the injection site with any antiseptic. Secondly, go to the nearest infectious diseases hospital immediately. Doctors will take preventive measures:

• They will take blood for analysis.
• If you have not had the hepatitis B vaccine, you may be given an emergency vaccination.
• Prescribe a course of special drugs against HIV.