Injecting - HIV from sharing needles

[hiGhASaKitE 420]

hello. my friend is a former heroin addict.(former... aren't we all lol) & she knows that from sharing needles you can get hiv. & she knows that even if neither users of that needle have hiv a blood infection can occur & cause it. but susan's question is, is it only certain blood types mixing that could cause it? like example, a can't be with o. but a can be mixed with b.
or is it just at any random time.
she is wondering, obviously, because she has had instances where she had ta share.
swim appreciates all answers, trying to put safety 1st

[ianzombie]

You cant mix certain Blood Types and just create HIV, one user has to have HIV for it to be passed on, or am i reading your question wrong?

If Swiy is concerned about having contracted anything from sharing needles they should get themselves tested, not only to put their mind at ease but also to prevent Swiy passing on anything to other users.

[RapidWardrobe]

You wouldn't be able to transfer enough blood to cause blood poisoning, but just for your interest,
O- is universal and can be given to anyone
O+ can be given to any other + group
Then you get A- A+ B- B+ AB- AB+ which can only be given to their own selves, or obviously receive one of the o's depending.

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Very usefull information, mind posting the source of the info
	Misunderstood the OP - they're asking about HIV tranmission between diff blood groups.

[Spucky]

Originally Posted by hiGhASaKitE 420

she is wondering, obviously, because she has had instances where she had ta share.
swim appreciates all answers, trying to put safety 1st

This both phrase are irrconcilable,
never ever share the Needle, not even with a lifelong-Soulmate,
because HIV. or Hep. C. always comes in a different form.

Look, two People have different Viruses inside,
if they share a Syringe they can get a infection with the other Subtype!
This means they can get a two different forms of AIDS,
the same for Hep.C.

[Helene]

Originally Posted by hiGhASaKitE 420

she knows that from sharing needles you can get hiv. & she knows that even if neither users of that needle have hiv a blood infection can occur & cause it. but susan's question is, is it only certain blood types mixing that could cause it? like example, a can't be with o. but a can be mixed with b.

I think you are confusing a few issues here.

If you share a needle (or water, filter, spoon etc) with someone else, and this person is HIV positive, there is a very real risk that you will contract the disease. It doesn't matter what blood type they are, or what blood type you are, if you stick a needle into you that has been contaminated with HIV positive blood, you have a risk of becoming HIV positive.

Your second point about the possibility of HIV being contracted when neither user is HIV positive is incorrect. HIV cannot develop from a non-HIV related blood infection. One person must be HIV positive to pass on the disease to another. But it must be noted that just because someone is HIV positive, doesn't mean they are likely to be aware of it, or even admit to it if they are aware. So someones' claim of "don't worry, I'm negative" shouldn't be enough to convince you of the safety of sharing works. Sharing needles is never safe.

Now, the mixing of blood types issue is something completely separate. RapidWardrobe provided correct information regarding blood transfusions, although I think he somewhat misunderstood the question in terms of HIV contraction. It is true that in the context of a blood transfusion, only certain blood types can be given to other blood types. But it should be made very clear that this fact is completely separate to, and has no bearing on the possible transmission of HIV and other blood-borne viruses. As I said above, being a different blood-type doesn't change the risk of HIV transmission - you can still be infected even if you are a different blood-type from the HIV positive person.

If you (or your friend) are concerned that you have come into contact with HIV, hep C or another blood-borne virus, the first thing you should do is contact your doctor and book a blood test. Even if you don't have any specific concerns, getting tested for HIV and hep C should be a regular event for any IV drug user.

Of course I understand that in some countries clean works aren't as readily available as they are here in the UK. But even so, good injecting practice should be of paramount importance. Every shared works carries with it a potential death sentence.

This thread here deals with syringe availability, and what to do if you have difficulty obtaining clean works:

Difficulty buying needles

These three videos (produced by Exchange Supplies) deal with how to clean used syringes to make them as safe as possible, if you really must reuse them, HIV and hep C survival rate in used syringes, and how reliable a method syringe cleaning is against transmission of blood-borne viruses:

Cleaning works: how to clean a used syringe

HIV and hepatitis C survival in used syringes

Does cleaning syringes work?

I hope this has helped to answer your queries,

H

Reputation Comments on this post:

Excellent post on harm reduction.

[missparkles]

HIV and HCV can be contracted when blood from an infected person is transferred to another person via needles, syringes, crack pipes and any other drug using paraphernalia. It can also be contracted from cups with slight cracks in the rim that may harbour undseen blood spots if the person who previously used it, (who may be infected) has a mouth sore or bleeding gums.

It has nothing to do with blood group. There is also a slight risk from sharing cigarettes and joints too. I've put a link to a Hep C topic below. But always remember, never, ever, take any risks, better safe than sorry.

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99071

Hope some of this helps?

Sparkles.