Spiking
We are aware many service users are concerned about Spiking where an individual has been pricked with a needle by an unknown person, usually in a bar or night club.
Medical services do not have a test to confirm whether or not you have been injected with a substance. Medical care considers the risk of blood borne virus exposure. To date, no cases of blood borne virus transmission following spiking have been recorded in our region. Screening and vaccination can be arranged by your GP. If you feel medically unwell, care options available include telephoning 111 or presenting to A&E.
Needlestick injuries can be associated with a risk of exposure Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIV. The risk to the individual sustaining the injury depends on the type of needle (eg whether it was a needle used in healthcare or a solid needle like a sewing needle) , and whether or not it has ever been used for the injection of drugs or used to injure another person.
HIV is a fragile virus outside of the body, thus it survives poorly on needles. This results in a low risk of HIV transmission from a needlestick injury in the vast majority of cases. The risk of HIV being acquired from a spiking incident is very low and so we do not routinely recommend preventative treatment. We recommend testing for HIV soon after the incident and repeating the test at 12 weeks.
Hepatitis B is uncommon, however it can be more easily passed from one person to another following a needlestick injury. If you have been previously vaccinated, you may require a booster vaccine. If you are unvaccinated, your care provider will discuss vaccination with you. Hepatitis B vaccination can reduce the risk of becoming infected with Hepatitis B even if received after the needlestick injury. We recommend testing for hepatitis B soon after the incident and repeating the test at 3 and 6 months.
Hepatitis C isthe virusmost easilytransmitted via needlestick injuries. Unfortunately there is no vaccine currently available to prevent infection with Hepatitis C but effective treatments are now available for anyone who becomes infected with this virus. We recommend testing soon after the incident and at 3 and 6 months afterwards.
Please contact 111 or A&E if you have been spiked and feel medically unwell.
Please contact the police on 101 to report the incident.
IUS studies
From 1 June 2021, the New Croft Centre will be performing a study of levonorgestrel intrauterine systems (IUSs) – coils that contain hormones – for educational and information purposes.
This study is to find out about the menstrual periods of our patients during their first year of using an IUS so that in future we can provide information on periods to those who want to use the IUS for contraception.
From 1 June 2021, the New Croft Centre will be performing a study of levonorgestrel intrauterine systems (IUSs) – coils that contain hormones – for educational and information purposes.
This study is to find out about the menstrual periods of our patients during their first year of using an IUS so that in future we can provide information on periods to those who want to use the IUS for contraception.
