Advice for patients who inject drugs into themselves or others

Always use new needles and syringes, which can be obtained through needle-syringe exchange programs in many cities or purchased from pharmacists, with or without a prescription, across the country.

If new equipment is not available, the risk of HIV transmission can be reduced by flushing the needle and syringe with undiluted bleach three times, "flicking" or agitating the syringe, then rinsing the needle and syringe with water at least three times before each use.

If bleach is not available, needles and syringes can be flushed with alcohol. Cleaning is not a substitute for using new equipment.

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