Two children prick themselves with a used syringe in a Montpellier park

Children touch everything, especially to discover the environment in which they operate. But unfortunately this can expose them to certain risks, both at home and outside. In Montpellier, Sunday April 11, two girls pricked themselves with a used syringe found on the ground, reports Free noon. According to the daily, the accident happened while they were in the park of the Garland with their grandfather. A place often frequented by drug addicts, who leave hazardous waste behind.

See also: They contract AIDS after having carried out a treatment in an institute

Video by Marie Lacombe

“They found a used syringe, played with the plunger and pricked themselves with it. We immediately referred them to the Montpellier University Hospital. The tests are in progress. The park is closed until tomorrow morning to clean up ”, reacted Sébastien Cote, deputy mayor in charge of the protection of the population and public tranquility.

“No risk of contamination by AIDS”

Contacted by Midi Libre, Elodie Brun Mandon, municipal councilor responsible for health prevention and the fight against addictions, made reassuring remarks. “There is no risk of contamination by AIDS because this virus is very little in the open air. To date, in France, no child has been infected with AIDS with a used syringe ”, she said.

Nevertheless, she considers that what happened to the two little girls is inexcusable. “This is a problem that has not been managed. We cannot just pick up used syringes. We need a comprehensive drug plan ”, she added.

This is not the first time that a case like this has occurred in the city. In January 2021, a 5-year-old girl was also pricked with a syringe found in the center of Montpellier. In 2018, it was a little boy who was also injured in the park of the Garland. The syringe had gone through his shoe and pricked him in the foot.

My child pricks himself: what is the protocol to follow?

This type of accident causes great anxiety among parents, who often imagine the worst-case scenario. But you should know that the risk of transmitting diseases (tetanus, HIV, etc.) with a used syringe depends on several factors:

• The depth of the wound
• The presence of blood or not (fresh or dried)
• The viability of the virus in the air
• The type of material used
• The immunity level of the injured person
• The time since the last use of the syringe

If your child is injured, doctors also recommend cleaning the wound thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible. However, it is not recommended to use alcohol and pinch the flesh around the wound.

Be sure to consult as soon as possible (within two hours after the bite). The healthcare professional will assess the risk factors and decide if the little patient needs a prescription for antiretrovirals (treatment to destroy the AIDS virus before it sets in). He / she may also request a blood test and an update of the child’s vaccines.

The antiretroviral treatment is quite heavy and may be adapted according to the age of the child. It must be started within 24 to 48 hours after the injury, to limit the risks. Two to four weeks after treatment, the child will need to be tested. He will have reinforced medical follow-up.

Elise Poiret

Journalist specializing in parenthood, Elise writes for aufeminin and Parole de mamans. She is also very involved in the fight for women’s rights. If you only have to remember …