I found a strange object in my hotel bed and was sent into an instant panic when I realised what it was: 'New fear unlocked'

By Carina Stathis For Daily Mail Australia 02:56 23 Oct 2024, updated 03:16 23 Oct 2024

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A traveller who hopped into his hotel bed only to feel a sudden 'prick' sensation was left panicked after realising what it was.

When he looked down to investigate he spotted a bizarre object embedded in the mattress. He later found out it was a disposable insulin pen needle cap.

Turning to Reddit for answers, the man posted a photo of the cap with a short explanation.

'What is this? The metal end was sticking through the bedsheet of a hotel I'm staying in and scratched the cr*p out of me,' the traveller wrote.

Many were quick to identify what it was and encouraged him to get tested as soon as possible. The needle was dented after he lay on it but it's unclear if it had been used or not.

'I'm fine. My in-laws and sister are doctors so I've been in touch with them about this as well,' the man said later.

The worrying post 'unlocked a new fear' among hundreds who previously only had bed bugs at the top of their hotel bed worries.

Many encouraged him to go to hospital and consult a doctor, which he did.

'Go to the ER or call a 24/7 primary care provider. PeP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) medicines that prevent HIV and other viral infections need to be taken within very short window,' one warned.

'You'll very much need to run by the nearest hospital asap. Head for the emergency room. Take that object with you but pack it safely. You're probably just fine, but there is a small chance you injected something awful into your body, so please do that,' another wrote.

Others shared their own horror stories about needles in unsafe places.

'Well, since we're unlocking new fears. My mother worked a cinema into which a man was hiding syringe needles inside the seat cushions. You would sit on the seat with the needle completely invisible inside the fabric. Once you sat the seat compressed enough to prick you,' one wrote.

'I'm afraid of needles and this whole thread is full of reasons never to sit, stand or sleep anywhere ever,' someone else added.

'I'm not afraid of needles per se. I'm afraid of contaminated needles more specifically,' another wrote.

The site should be immediately washed with soap and water.

The incident should be reported and an exposure report sheet completed.

The exposure should be assessed (type of fluid, type of needle, amount of blood on the needle, etc).

The exposure source should be evaluated:

a) HIV, HBV, and HCV status of the patient;

b) Consent and testing of the patient for these diseases if the status is unknown;

c) Likelihood of infection based on the community served by the hospital if the patient is not available to be tested.

Source: AMA Journal of Ethics

The disposable cap is used to carefully insert onto a needle for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

If a used needle pierces your skin it's vital to seek medical assistance immediately as it can cause HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, HPV, genital warts and other dangerous infections.

The area should be immediately washed with soap and water then evaluated by a doctor.

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