Treatment / Management of Needlestick Injuries
After a needlestick injury, care must be taken to minimize risk for the affected person.
Do not panic. It is important to be calm and follow the protocols.
Encourage bleeding at the site of injury to minimize infection.
The injured area must be cleansed thoroughly with soap and water.
Make sure you wash the face, eyes, nose and mouth too, thoroughly.
You might need a tetanus shot too. Seek medical help.
Take prophylactic medications /
Make sure the spills are properly removed and wiped clean.
Ensure that waste management is carried out properly.
Do follow up tests on your infection status.
The injured person must undergo lab tests for HIV and for hepatitis virus. The person who is the source must be subjected to the above lab tests if his infection status is unknown.
Also, report the incident at work place.
