The Dangers of Sharing Needles

There are many people who use needles, diabetics, tattoo artists, prescription drug users, illegal drug users, medical professionals, pet parents, and vets. In my experience, people only think about using them for their intended purpose, and don’t think about what happens after they’re done with them. How should a used needle be disposed of?

Dangers of Sharing Needles

Sharing needles can spread diseases and viruses. Some of the most common pathogens include HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. In addition to those three, other blood borne pathogens that can be passed via needle are malaria and syphilis.

Used needles can also pass on infections because the needless are no longer sterile. Any piece of medical equipment that isn’t sterile, including used needles, increase the chances of infection.

As one of my friends who’s a nurse says, “You don’t necessarily know the other person’s exposure and when you use the same needle you expose yourself to what they could have.”

Read my disclaimer, and talk to your doctor if you have any further questions about used needles.

What To Do with Used Needles

Workplaces will have protocols set up to properly dispose of needles and sharps. OSHA has a webpage to learn more about bloodborne pathogens and needle safety.

For those of you using needles at home, the FDA recommends a two-step disposal process:

1. Put needles and sharps in a sharp’s disposal container immediately after use.
2. Dispose of used sharps disposal containers according to your community guidelines.

If you don’t know your community guidelines you can contact the Safe Needle Disposal, 1-800-643-1643 or info@safeneedledisposal.org.

Personally, I’ve always asked my doctor and/or pharmacist what to do with my used needles.  

Traveling with Needles

What do you do when you are using needles while traveling? This is an important question and one that can be easily overlooked. And as a traveling diabetic it is one that I (and maybe you) have to think about.

There are travel-size sharps containers you can buy and bring with you on trips. In my travels, I’ve noticed more sharps containers in public bathrooms at parks, office buildings, and other areas. But most bathrooms still do not have them. As a sharps container in a public bathroom isn’t a guarantee, it’s always good to bring your own.

If you’re traveling by plane, check the most up to date TSA rules and regulations for sharps. As stated in my Packing List for a Traveling Type 1 Diabetic post, also make sure you bring your prescriptions with you and make sure everything is clearly labeled.

Diabetes and Needles

Diabetics use needles all the time. With the increase in innovation for diabetes care, there are less needles being used. When I was first diagnosed in 1994, I would have to prick my finger numerous times a day to see what my blood sugar number was. I also had at least 2 injections a day which used a single use syringe.  

No matter what kind of supplies you use to help manage your diabetes, you still use and tend to have needles on hand.

What Needles I Currently Use

At the time of publishing this post, I use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to check my blood sugar numbers, so I don’t have to prick my finger multiple times a day. I do still have my blood glucose monitor, and use it when my CGM prescription wasn’t filled in time, I didn’t trust the values from my CGM, and for other emergencies.

I use insulin pens for the two insulins I use, which still use single use needles. These single use needles are smaller than the syringes I used to use. Which means I can fit more of them into a sharps disposal container than I could syringes.

Some diabetics use an insulin pump instead of injections, which cuts back on their needle use.

Don’t Share Needles

There are so many risks associated with sharing and reusing needles, so please don’t use any needles that have already been used or any needle that you aren’t sure about. This is one of the few times when sharing is NOT caring.

It is important to inform everyone on the dangers of sharing needles, especially with children who may not know the risks. You can read about a time when I was a child and shared a needle without understanding the risks – Sharing Needles with a Vacation Friend in Yellowstone as a Child. Please do not do what I did!

Please don’t share your needles with anyone. Dispose of them properly, and contact your doctor if you have any questions.