Fact or Fiction...The HIV Urban Myth

Most of us have probably read the e-mail warnings of HIV infected needles found in movie theater seats and phone booth coin returns. The warnings tell of a girl who becomes HIV infected from a needle sticking out of a theater seat. Fact or fiction? Here is the real story.

Unfortunately, discarded needles and syringes are sometimes found outside the health care setting. Officials believe that most of these come from injection drug users while a very small portion are improperly discarded insulin syringes. For the most part, these syringes pose little if any danger to the general public. However, certain groups of workers are at higher risk of injury, most notably sanitation workers, housekeepers, policemen and paramedics.

It is true, improperly discarded syringes can transmit blood borne diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

However, transmission by discarded needles carries a very low risk. There are no reported cases of HIV infection from a needle stick outside of the health care setting. In fact, the Health ministry does not recommend testing discarded needles at all. Instead, they suggest each needle stick be handled on a case by case basis, taking into account the risk of infection by the source and the type of injury sustained. Any exposure should be reported to the local police and an evaluation from a physician or emergency room be done. The local health department should also be made aware of any incidence involving improperly discarded needles.

So the phone booth and movie seat stories seem to be fiction. If you see a discarded syringe or needle outside of a heath care setting, don't pick it up. Contact your local health department for guidance on disposal and who to contact.