Needle-stick injuries or syringe attacks aren’t just frightening, they can also pose serious health risks, including HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
What many people don’t realise is that the first few minutes after exposure can determine whether you remain safe or face long-term health complications.
Why speed matters
When an incident like this happens, time is everything.
Acting quickly can help reduce the risk of infection and give medical professionals the best chance to protect your health.
Immediate steps to take
If you or someone you know is pricked by a needle or exposed to suspicious fluid, medical experts recommend:
- Stop any activity immediately.
- Wash the affected area with running water and soap for at least 5 minutes.
- If exposed in the eyes, rinse with clean water or saline solution for at least 15 minutes.
- Avoid squeezing the wound too hard; allow a small amount of blood to flow naturally.
- Report the incident to authorities or your workplace supervisor.
From there, doctors may recommend Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), a 28-day course of antiretroviral medication that helps stop HIV from multiplying in the body.
However, PEP is only effective if started within 72 hours of exposure. Follow-up blood tests at weeks 6, 12, and 24 are also crucial to detect any delayed infections.
Why this is making headlines now
These safety measures became the focus of public attention after a disturbing incident at a shopping mall in Putrajaya last Tuesday (Aug 12).
The son of former PKR Deputy President, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, was allegedly attacked with a syringe while leaving the mall with his mother.
The incident happened around 1.45pm, when an unknown assailant pulled him from their car and jabbed him.
A targeted attack
Rafizi said that preliminary checks revealed two men on a motorcycle dressed entirely in black and wearing full-face helmets had been following his wife’s car.
They are believed to have waited for the right moment before acting. In all my years as a public-profile politician, this is the first time my family has been the target of such an attack,” he said.
Police are still investigating the motive behind the incident.
