What are the risks associated with sharing needles?

What are the risks associated with sharing needles?

• A. Malaria
• B. HIV and hepatitis
• C. Asthma
• D. Common cold

Answer: (B)

Sharing needles puts you in direct contact with another person’s blood, so bloodborne infections can be transmitted quickly. HIV and hepatitis viruses can live in blood and survive briefly on used equipment, making it possible to infect someone who uses the same needle. HIV attacks the immune system, while hepatitis B and C affect the liver and can become chronic. This is why these infections are linked to needle sharing. Malaria is spread by mosquitoes, not by sharing needles. The common cold and asthma aren’t transmitted through blood in the same way (col ds spread mainly through respiratory droplets; asthma is not infectious). To prevent these risks, never share needles and use sterile equipment, plus vaccination and testing as appropriate.

Sharing needles puts you in direct contact with another person’s blood, so bloodborne infections can be transmitted quickly. HIV and hepatitis viruses can live in blood and survive briefly on used equipment, making it possible to infect someone who uses the same needle. HIV attacks the immune system, while hepatitis B and C affect the liver and can become chronic. This is why these infections are linked to needle sharing. Malaria is spread by mosquitoes, not by sharing needles. The common cold and asthma aren’t transmitted through blood in the same way (col ds spread mainly through respiratory droplets; asthma is not infectious). To prevent these risks, never share needles and use sterile equipment, plus vaccination and testing as appropriate.