Regarding why needlesticks outside medical setting are no risk for HIV transmission

[HariSeldon]

With regard to their being no documented instances of HIV transmission via needlestick outside a medical setting, is the core reason the non-immediacy of such events - i.e., it is unlikely that one would impale one's foot on a needle freshly dropped from an IV (and HIV positive) drug user's hand.

Because I imagine that it's probable that there have been occasions that persons have been accidentally stuck with a needle (and that said needle has hit a vein, for example), but with no transmission taking place..

I guess my question is, even if one were to step on a discarded needle such that it enters a vein, one would not become infected on account of the needle in question not being freshly discarded?

It's likely, right, that people have sometimes been stuck by a needle that happened to hit a vein.. but with no transmission taking place because it is unlikely that people have stepped on needles (even in such a way that a vein is entered) seconds after an IV drug user discarded it?

Sorry for the long-winded post.

Basically, I'm trying to understand the statistics re: non medical needlestick HIV transmission.

There have been no such documented cases not because no one has ever been accidentally stuck in a vein by a discarded needle.. but because no one has ever been stuck in a vein five seconds after the needle was discarded?

Please help me understand the importance of "vein-hitting" and "immediacy" in the context of their being no documented needlestick HIV transmission outside a medical setting.

Thank you

[AnxiousNoMore]

If you are stuck by a needle it will hurt a lot and you won't be wondering afterwards if it happened.

[HariSeldon]

Fair enough.


Thanks for taking the time to post too.


H. Seldon

[AnxiousNoMore]

HIV has been around for 40 years and you noted there are no documented cases of the needlestick causing hiv. Therefore, since this is an hiv prevention forum you are well informed. I presume you had no incident to worry about anyway.

[HariSeldon]

Hi,

Thanks for your response.

I hesitate to describe it as an "incident", since that might suggest it was more serious than it was..

I happen to live in a public housing complex, and I have seen discarded needles laying around.

The other day I was walking in my flip flops when something got lodged between the sole of my foot and my flip flop. It felt long and thin and I took a couple of steps with my body weight somewhat pressing down on the object.

I thought nothing of it, but then I recalled those times I had seen discarded needles..

It got me to thinking about the statistic I referenced in my opening post..

I haven't a scientific background, and was wanting confirmation of my thoughts regarding why there has never been a documented instance of needlestick HIV transmission outside medical setting.. thus my vein/artery Vs immediacy train of thought..


H. Seldon

[AnxiousNoMore]

This is only an hiv prevention forum, and you were not at risk for hiv.  In both of your posts you noted that is a documented fact.
Since you "don't have a scientific background."perhaps discuss your desire for information with your doc. Alternatively, I would just move on from hiv instead of trying to become a student of this disease.

[HariSeldon]

No need to be snarky (if I misperceive you, I apologize).

Clearly my intention was only to lessen my anxiety as best I could, by way of enlarging my insight..

Anyways, good day to you. No hard feelings.

H. Seldon



Good day

[AnxiousNoMore]

I have no idea what part of my response you consider to be snarky, since I wasn't intending to be. As I said before, your doctor is your best source of enlarging your insight in a one on one conversation about this no risk event.