What Happens Next?

In a healthcare/clinical setting a doctor will be assigned to collect information about the patient including indicators of blood borne virus infection through:

•  risk factors
•  results of previous (if any) Hepatitis B, C and HIV tests
•  medical history that suggests previous infection
•  current or previous anti retroviral treatment in patients known to be HIV positive.

Blood will be collected from the patient (with their consent) and usually tested for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

 The individual who has had the sharps injury must seek advice from their Occupational Health Department/ General Practitioner or Accident and Emergency Department so that the injury can be assessed and if necessary receive for:

Hepatitis B

Full course of Hepatitis B vaccination, if not previously immunised, or a booster dose if successfully immunised.

HIV

An immediate prescription, ideally within 1 hour, of anti retroviral drugs.

Hepatitis C

There is no effective prophylaxis against Hepatitis C

If it has been recommended that the individual who has had the sharps injury receive follow-up blood testing by their Occupational Health Department/ General Practitioner, then during this period:

•  the individual should practice safer sex
•  the individual should not donate blood

Click on Hepatitis B Hepatitis C HIV to understand more about blood borne viruses.