Dr. Roberta Laguerre went back to school on May 12 to teach 100 pre-K and K students (and their teachers) at The Lighthouse Family School about the importance of not touching needles. Every day, "dirty" needles and other medical sharps are carelessly discarded by people without thoughts of how they might end up in the hands of children who then stick themselves with them. Some of this is by adults who have medical needs such as for lancets to check blood sugars and insulin syringes, but many of these are from needles used for illegal drug use and then discarded on streets and playgrounds. Viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C can live in these syringes for many hours and then infect the person being stuck.
Dr. Laguerre says, "Stop, Don't Touch, and Tell". She also says that this is the most fun she's had in a long time and was quite impressed with how well aware the children were of needles in their environment.
The DMC offers evaluation services and advice about post-exposure prophylaxis for situations where there is a suspected non-occupational HIV sharps exposure.
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