W20-W49: Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces

W46: Contact with hypodermic needle

Contact with a hypodermic needle is an event that typically occurs in healthcare settings or scenarios where needles are used, such as in the administration of medications or drawing of blood. This unwanted event can lead to various consequences, depending on the circumstances under which they happen. In worst case scenarios, if the hypodermic needle involved was contaminated, the individual may be exposed to multiple pathogenic organisms that cause infections, like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV/AIDS. The transmission occurs when the contaminated needle pierces the skin, introducing the pathogens directly into the bloodstream. Typical initial symptoms might include local inflammation at the point of puncture. Disease progression varies depending on the causative organism and the individual's immune response.