This Month's HIV/AIDS Facts

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Question: How can someone get AIDS from a needle?

Basic Answer: AIDS (a result of HIV infection) is caused by a virus (HIV). Because HIV can spread through blood-to-blood contact, the person who uses a contaminated needle or syringe is at risk of becoming infected with HIV. A person using a contaminated needle may inject the virus directly into their bodies.

Detailed Answer: AIDS (a result of HIV infection) is caused by a virus (HIV) that is spread through sexual or blood-to-blood contact. Someone can become infected from using a needle or syringe that contains blood of a person who has HIV. Because infected blood may be injected directly into the body of the next person, the person using a contaminated needle or syringe is at risk of becoming infected with HIV. Sharing needles and syringes with an HIV-positive person for any reason -- such as injecting drugs (including steroids), piercing ears and other body parts and tattooing -- can spread the virus if the needles and syringes are contaminated. There is no risk of getting HIV from unused, sterile equipment.

Although getting into treatment to get off drugs or using new, sterile equipment is more effective, people who inject drugs can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by properly cleaning needles, syringes and other injection equipment with chlorine bleach and water. Bleach has been shown to destroy HIV in laboratory tests.

SOURCES:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Linking HIV Prevention Services and Substance Abuse Treatment Programs." Fact sheet. February 2002.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute on Drug Abuse, and Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. "Medical Advice for Persons Who Inject Illicit Drugs." HIV Prevention Bulletin. May 9, 1997.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Surgeon General’s Report to the American Public on HIV Infection and AIDS. June 1993.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and National Institute on Drug Abuse. HIV/AIDS Prevention Bulletin. April 19, 1993.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. "Needle Sharing Among Intravenous Drug Abusers: National and International Perspectives." Research Monograph 80. Battjes, R., and Pickens, R., eds. 1988.

For current statistics, contact the CDC National AIDS Hotline (800/342-AIDS), Spanish (800/344-7432), TTY/TDD (800/243-7889); the CDC Voice and Fax Information System (888/232-3228); the CDC National Prevention Information Network (800/458-5231) or its Web site at www.cdcnpin.org; or the CDC HIV/AIDS Web site at www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap.htm.