Tells you about the things you should do after a needle prick injury. regarding First Aid and PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis)

1. Needle prick injury ?
Here is what to do.

2. Immediately wash with soap and water.
Wounds should be encouraged
to bleed freely under running water
but do not squeeze.

3. • Do not put pricked finger in mouth.
• Do not use antiseptic, bleach,
chlorine, alcohol, betadine, iodine etc.

4. Transmission:
Seroconversion rates :
• Hepatitis B virus - 6 to 30%
• Hepatitis C virus - 1.8%
• HIV - 0.3%

5. Blood should be taken from the source
patient ASAP for following tests :
• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
• Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV)
• HIV antibody.

6. If source patient is found negative for
all, stay reassured and thank god.
No Post exposure prophylaxis.
Get vaccinated for Hepatitis B, if not
already done.

7. If source patient is found positive for HIV
:
Start post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
ideally within 2 hours but
certainly within 72 hours.
*(PEP is not effective when given more than 72 hours after)

8. Seek expert opinion in case of
• Delay in reporting exposure (> 72 hours).
• Unknown source.
• Known or suspected pregnancy,
but initiate PEP
.
• Breastfeeding mothers, but initiate PEP
.
• Source patient is on ART.
• Major toxicity of PEP regimen.

9. The exposed person must be monitored for
signs indicating an HIV seroconversion:
• Acute fever
• Generalized lymphadenopathy
• Cutaneous eruption
• Pharyngitis
• Non-specific flu symptoms
• Ulcers the mouth or genital area.
(These symptoms appear in 50%-70% of individuals
with an HIV primary (acute) infection and
almost always within 3 to 6 weeks after exposure)

10. Post-PEP HIV tests:
• at 3 months and
• again at 6 months is recommended.
If the test at 6 months is negative, no
further testing is recommended.