Is there a high risk of infection if pricked by a patient's needle?

    The risk of infection from being pricked by a patient's needle generally depends on the extent of contamination of the needle, depth of injury, and whether the injured person has corresponding antibodies.

    1. Degree of needle contamination

    The likelihood of transmission largely depends on whether the needle carries infectious pathogens. If pricked by a needle that has never been used, as long as local disinfection and hygiene are maintained, the chance of infection is almost zero. However, if the needle is contaminated with bacteria or viruses, there is a significant risk of infection if punctured by such a needle.

    2. Depth of injury

    If pricked by a needle previously used on a patient with a blood-borne infectious disease and the wound bleeds, the risk of infection is relatively high. If the injury is superficial and does not cause bleeding, the likelihood of transmission decreases.

    3. Presence of specific antibodies in the injured person

    If pricked by a needle contaminated by a patient with a contagious disease such as hepatitis B, the risk of infection is lower if the injured person’s blood contains protective antibodies (e.g., hepatitis B surface antibody). In contrast, the absence of such protective antibodies increases the risk of infection.

    In addition, the size of the needle should also be considered. If exposure to HIV is suspected, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication should be taken under a doctor's guidance, and blood tests should be performed to check for infection.