A Dundee mum says she is “inconsolable” after learning that her nine-year-old child was pricked by a discarded needle.
Sarah Scott, 36, was left in floods of tears after hearing that her son Zak had accidentally jabbed himself with the suspected drug paraphernalia on Monday.
The boy was walking home from school when he spotted the discarded needle and wanted to remove it to protect other children.
Doctors at A&E have taken blood tests as needle stick injuries carry the risk of contracting viruses including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
However, it could take up to three months before the results come back.
‘It is really terrifying’
Distraught Sarah said waiting for the news will be “terrifying”.
She said: “He needs to get two more vaccinations, then get his blood taken again.
“After that they’ll compare the two samples and let us know if he’s caught anything.
“It’s so scary not knowing, it’s just so scary.
“He’s my only child so it really is terrifying.
“He picked it up because he thinks that’s a baby park. It’s not a baby park but he was worried that a baby would hurt themselves on it.”
Three months to get test results
Zak spotted the needle while walking through a small wooded park at the back of Cheviot Crescent with some friends.
While throwing it away, he accidentally nicked his middle finger with the needle, drawing blood.
The wound was quickly cleaned by a friend’s mum, who also told Sarah about what happen.
She added: “I just started crying when I saw the picture [of the needle].
“I was really inconsolable.
“I’ve got BPD (borderline personality disorder) which made the whole thing even more intense. It was a lot tougher.”
The youngster was rushed to Ninewells Hospital by Sarah and her sister-in-law.
He received a Hepatitis B vaccination and had his blood taken with the family now left waiting for confirmation he has not contracted any viruses.
“You hear all these stories about the things that you can catch,” Sarah said.
“It’s something I’ve always been worried about.
“I’m just upset that he picked it up. I know that he did it out of the goodness of his heart but he knows better.”
The mum has now warned other parents to educate their children about the dangers of used needles.
She said: “My advice would be to talk to your kids.
“They need to know to get an adult in a situation like that.”
