Where There Is No Dentist 2012 91
Needles
Many people get sick with serious illnesses like hepatitis or HIV from using
unsterilized needles.
Reusable syringes and disposable syringes
Reusable syringes can be used again and again. Reusable syringes make
less waste and can save money, but they must be washed very carefully
and sterilized after every use.
Use each disposable needle only one time and then throw it away in a box
like the one on pages 205–206. If you must reuse a needle, replace the cap
very carefully and put the needle in a safe place (such as a pan full of bleach
solution) until you are ready to clean and sterilize it.
How to wash and sterilize a
syringe and needle for reuse:
1. Put on a pair of heavy gloves
to protect your hands from
germs and from sticking
yourself with the needle.
2. Draw 5% bleach solution (see
page 89) up through the needle into the
syringe barrel.
3. Squirt out the bleach solution.
4. Repeat several times. Rinse everything
several times with clean water.
5. Take the syringe and needle apart and boil or
steam them. (See pages 87 to 88.)
Never reuse a needle or syringe without
cleaning and sterilizing it first.