Cut and puncture accident
A cut and puncture accident is an incident where someone comes into contact with blood or other bodily fluids through a sharp object, such as a needle or knife, that penetrates the skin. This can pose a risk for the transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
What is a cut and puncture accident?
In a cut and puncture accident, blood (or another bodily fluid) from one person enters the body of another through a sharp object, such as a syringe needle or scalpel. In a splatter accident, blood comes into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin. In a bite accident, blood enters oral mucosa or saliva into an open wound. We categorize needle, bite, cutting, and splatter accidents under the term “cut and puncture accidents.”
The consequences of a cut and puncture accident
Infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV can be transmitted through a cut and puncture accident. The ease with which this transmission occurs varies for each viral disease and depends on many factors.
Hepatitis B is the most easily transmitted of the three viruses. If you come into contact with blood infected with hepatitis B, the chance of infection is 25%. If there is a real risk of infection and the affected person is not vaccinated, the risk can be significantly reduced by starting a vaccination or treatment with human immunoglobulin (anti-HBV) immediately after the accident.
The chance of becoming infected with the hepatitis C virus from a cut and puncture accident with a hepatitis C-infected person is small, about 2%. If there is a real risk of infection, we will take a blood sample to see if the disease is developing. If it is, we will refer you to a doctor for treatment.
The chance of becoming infected with the HIV virus from a cut and puncture accident with an HIV-infected person is 0.3%. Through blood tests, we can, if necessary, test the source for HIV. If there is a risk of HIV transmission, we recommend starting to take AIDS-reducing medication within 2-72 hours after the accident to block the transmission of the virus. This is known as the PEP protocol (Post Exposure Prophylaxis). These AIDS-reducing medications must be taken according to a fixed schedule for a month; you will receive detailed instructions from us.
What to do in the event of a cut and puncture accident?
1. Immediate Action
- Wound Care for needle, bite, and cutting accidents: Let the wound bleed freely. Wash the wound with water or saline. Disinfect the wound with 70% alcohol or 0.5% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol.
Keep the sharp object until you have contacted an expert at vaccinatiecentrum.nl. - Wound Care for splatter accidents:
Rinse skin or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth) immediately and thoroughly with saline or possibly water.
2. Report the accident to your supervisor.
3. Report the accident to an organization that can assist you after a cut accident.
Also take a look at this (Dutch) website for more information on this subject: https://lci.rivm.nl/richtlijnen/prikaccidenten.
