Question

The greatest risk of seoconversion (development of antibodies in response to an infection) after a needlestick injury is

Answer 1

A needlestick injury, percutaneous injury, or percutaneous exposure incident or sharps injury is the penetration of the skin by a needle or other sharp object, which has been in contact with blood, tissue or other body fluids before the exposure.[1] Even though the acute physiological effects of a needlestick injury are generally negligible, these injuries can lead to transmission of blood-borne diseases, placing those exposed at increased risk of contracting infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Among healthcare workers and laboratory personnel worldwide, more than 25 blood-borne viruses have been reported to be caused by needlestick injuries.[2] In addition to needlestick injuries transmission of these viruses can also occur as a result of contamination of the mucous membranes, such as these of the eyes, with blood or body fluids but needlestick injuries make up more than 80% of all percutaneous exposure incidents in the United States.[