Health officials said blood-borne infections could be transmitted through pin pricks, but the risk of getting hepatitis B, a suspected link to liver cancer, is greater than HIV.

Can you get an STD from a safety pin?

Diseases Spread by Needles

Accidents and sharing needles can pass on many other kinds of viruses and bacteria, including: Hepatitis C. Syphilis. Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

How long does HIV live on a piercing needle?

HIV is a relatively fragile virus and is susceptible to drying. However, survival of HIV for up to 42 days in syringes inoculated with the virus has been demonstrated, with duration of survival dependant on ambient temperature (24).