5-year-old faces HIV test

A FIVE-year-old will have to be tested for HIV and hepatitis after he was pricked with a drug addict's discarded needle in a park.

A boy, 5, was pricked with a needle on a syringe at Browns Park in North Ipswich. Picture: Claudia Baxter

A FIVE-year-old will have to be tested for HIV and hepatitis after he was pricked with a drug addict's discarded needle in a park.

The boy's mother said he accidentally pricked himself during a birthday party.

The distraught mum, who asked to remain anonymous to protect her son's privacy, said he had picked up the needle, not knowing what it was.

The boy had only been at Brown's Park in North Ipswich for moments when he picked up the stray needle at a friend's birthday party.

"We'd only just got to the park, I hadn't even said hello," his mother said.

"He ran over to the climbing frame and he picked up the needle that was on the ground and it's pricked his thumb."

She said she rushed her son straight to the hospital where he had tests for hepatitis B and was given a booster against the blood disease.

He will have to be tested for diseases including HIV and hepatitis over the next six months.

His mother said he would be tested at three weeks, three months and six months from the incident.

"He didn't know what the needle was," she said.

"He's a five-year-old; he runs around and hurts himself all the time and he just didn't understand why I was freaking out so much and so scared."

She said while her son had been taught about the dangers of needles, the lessons were too infrequent to sink in.

"They're held every six months. That is a long time for a five-year-old," she said.

City Council Parks, Sport and Recreation Committee chairman Cr David Morrison said Brown's Park was cleaned once a week.

"This includes checks of the playground, clearing of general litter and maintenance of lawns and gardens," Cr Morrison said.

"Unfortunately, from time to time we encounter syringes being deliberately placed in public areas.

"Parents should be aware this can occur and make a quick visual check of playground areas in public parks before children use the equipment.

"Park users finding syringes are always encouraged to phone and report details to council any time on 3810 6666. That number is manned 24/7 and for something as serious as syringes, officers will be sent to clean up the area as soon as possible."

On average, about two people a day face Ipswich Magistrates Court for failing to take reasonable care with a syringe or needle.

Most offences incur a small fine, depending on the defendant's criminal history.

Originally published as 5-year-old faces HIV test