NEEDLE NIGHTMARE
Mum’s anxious wait to learn if daughter has HIV after she is jabbed by discarded syringe at entrance to primary school
A mum has spoken of her HIV fears after her three- year- old daughter was jabbed by a discarded needle.
Charlie Ramage plunged the needle through her chin after picking it up at the entrance of Polkemmet Primary School in Whitburn.
The incident happened on June 7 as she gathered twigs on the way to collect her brothers and sister from class.
She was rushed to St John’s Hospital where she was given Hepatitis B vaccines and blood samples were taken to determine whether she has HIV.
Now her mum Lynsey and dad Thomas face an anxious six months as they wait to find out whether or not Charlie has the virus.
Speaking to the Courier this week, mum-of-six Lynsey said: “On the Tuesday, Charlie and her sister Alicia were collecting twigs going along the path on the way to collecting their big sisters and brother.
“Charlie just happened to pick her twigs up near the gate and ended up with a needle.
“Being a three-year-old child, she’s never seen a needle like that before. She removed the lid and when I’ve shouted her name she’s ended up pushing the needle into her chin. It went right through into her mouth.”
HIV is most commonly contracted through having
unprotected sex but infection can be passed by contaminated needles, through blood and through breast milk.
If Charlie is given the dreaded news that she has tested positive, it could have severe implications on the rest of her life.
she would likely be able to live a normal and healthy life but would face having to take antiretrovirals medication every day whilst hoping that the disease doesn’t develop into the deadly AIDS.
Lynsey told the Courier: “We’ve got to wait to find out if she’s got HIV. Charlie has not eaten anything since last tuesday, she’s not been sleeping either. It’s a complete nightmare — it’s absolutely heartbreaking.
“there’s no way a nursery will take the risk of having her. Her education will now be affected.
“I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. It’s a disgrace.
“she could now have a life sentence. It feels like we’re living a life sentence waiting to find out. It’s never ending.”
West Lothian Council have moved to reassure parents that this is an isolated incident.
a spokesman said: “a small needle, as might be used by diabetics for insulin injections, was handed into polkemmet primary school by a parent on tuesday afternoon, June 7. the needle had a protective cap on it when it was handed in, and the school were unaware of it previously. the needle has now been collected for safe disposal.
“there is no evidence of any drug use taking place in, or around, the school grounds. anyone who finds a needle in West Lothian should immediately report the location to 01506 280 000 , so it can be safely collected and disposed of as quickly as possible.”
Dr Duncan McCormick, consultant in public Health Medicine at NHS Lothian, said: “any accident like this is extremely distressing for parents, but I would also say that the risk of infection is extremely small. on the day of the incident, all appropriate treatment was given and Charlie had bloods taken at st John’s Hospital. she was also given the first of three courses of Hepatitis B vaccine.
“she will need to have bloods taken again to make sure the vaccine has been effective and that her results are negative.
“the incubation period in the body for HIV is between three and six months, so an appointment has been made for her with the consultant specialising in infectious diseases at that time and she will be tested again to ensure she is negative for both viruses.”