Needlestick
NEEDLESTICK
"Needlestick" is a slang term for a puncture wound made by a contaminated hypodermic needle, especially one that may convey HIV infection to health workers such as nurses or physicians. Although this is a rare mode of transmission of HIV or other serious infection, the risk is real: about three or four out of every thousand episodes of needlestick in Europe and North America have led to confirmed HIV infection. The risk is reduced by education, which must begin with junior staff when they are first in contact with patients, and with rigorous attention to sterile procedures, including universal precautions.
John M. Last
(see also: Communicable Disease Control; HIV/AIDS; Universal Precautions )
More From encyclopedia.com
Cross Infection , Hospital-Acquired Infections
A hospital-acquired infection, also called a noso-comial infection, is an infection that first appears between 48 hours… Perinatal Infection , Definition
Perinatal infections are those infections affecting the mother during a pregnancy , and may be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy,… Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , In June 1981 scientists published the first report of a mysterious and fatal illness that initially appeared to affect only homosexual men. Subsequen… Pseudomonas Infections , Definition
A pseudomonas infection is caused by a bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and may affect any part of the body. In most cases, however, pse… Mycobacterium , Mycobacterial Infections, Atypical
Definition
Atypical mycobacterial infections are infections caused by several types of mycobacteria similar to the… Cytomegalovirus infection , Cytomegalovirus Infection
Definition
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus related to the group of herpes viruses. Infection with CMV can cause no symptom…
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Needlestick