NCJ Number
182014
Journal
CTM - Corrections Technology & Management Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2000 Pages: 12-17
Date Published
March 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article relates the experience of a corrections officer who received a needle-stick from a possibly infection-bearing syringe and was then required to endure repeated monthly testing for Hepatitis C.
Abstract
Hepatitis C is reported to be the biggest epidemic in the United States, with more than 5 million infected patients, compared to 900,000 with HIV. An intoxicated man, who was a diabetic, brought with him to a correctional facility a bag of his belongings, including a hypodermic needle. The officer processing this subject learned that he also had Hepatitis C and had had a liver transplant and kidney transplants as a result of the disease. When he picked up the subject’s bag, the sergeant received a needle stick from the syringe, which had worked its way out of the bag. The sergeant was alarmed at the possible consequences of this occurrence, and was further disturbed when he had difficulty getting to see his own doctor and perceived a lack of understanding and support. After several tests for the presence of Hepatitis C--one of which required a 3-day waiting period for the results--the sergeant was told the results were all negative. However, he faced a year of repeated tests before he could say everything was negative. The article describes some of the sergeant’s emotions as he faced these procedures, and his concern for how the possible outcomes could affect his family.