Can I kill the HIV virus in a IV drug needle by zapping them in the microwave for a few seconds?

I am an IV drug user. I at times share needles. Does it help if I at least microwave the needle for a few seconds to kill any living virus? Will this at least maybe "reduce" the risk of HIV transmission?

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which causes AIDS is transmitted through body fluids, in particular blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.

You can become infected with HIV through:
Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner
Sharing needles when injecting or other use of contaminated injection or other skin-piercing equipment
Blood and blood products, for example, infected transfusions and organ or tissue transplants
Transmission from infected mother to child in the womb or at birth and breastfeeding
You cannot get HIV by:
Casual physical contact
Coughing, sneezing or kissing
Sharing toilet and washing facilities
Using eating utensils or consuming food and beverages handled by someone who has HIV
Mosquitoes or other insect bites
What happens if you have HIV?
HIV weakens the human body's immune system, making it difficult to fight infection. Treatments exist which can prevent the onset of AIDS and although there are side effects, a person can lead a healthy, active life with a long life expectancy if they respond well to treatment. However, they can still transmit the infection to others.

Early symptoms of AIDS include:
Chronic fatigue
Diarrhoea
Fever
Mental changes such as memory loss
Weight loss
Persistent cough
Severe recurrent skin rashes
Herpes and mouth infections
Swelling of the lymph nodes
Opportunistic diseases such as cancers, meningitis, pneumonia and tuberculosis may also take advantage of the body's weakened immune system.

Is there a cure?

Treatments exist which can prevent the onset of AIDS and allow periods of illness to be followed by periods of remission. However, there is no cure for AIDS. Research is currently under way into vaccines, but none is viable as yet.

How does HIV transmission occur?
HIV is a fragile virus, which can only survive in a limited range of conditions. It can only enter the body through naturally moist places and cannot penetrate unbroken skin. Prevention therefore involves ensuring that there is a barrier to the virus, for example condoms, and that skin-piercing equipment is not contaminated

Maybe u shd carry ur own set of neddles for only ur use because im afraid to say why put ur life at risk or depend on a microwave

Please visit ur GP and get some help

Try it hero.

Wow.

Why on earth would you take a chance like that? Get yourself to a doctor or clinic for rehab ASAP. And pray that you have not already contracted something.

WHY NOT TRY STOP USING DRUGS?!

yeah you should be fine

OR you could stop using and start rehab!!!!!!!!!!

Don't think it's so easy to kill...

Only a drug addict shares needles. You are not long for this world unless you get help.

HIV is a very hard to kill virus. It would be best to properly sterilize the needles. This means boiling hot water immersion for at least 12 minutes or more. Less will not necessarily kill the virus. Never share needles! it is the worst thing you can do. Not only for HIV but other diseases as well.

Best idea is to quit! Drugs cost too much and many make bad decisions when using them.

Not only do you need to worry about killing the HIV virus, you should be more worried about the hepatitis B & C viruses, which can live outside the human body for days. Even cleaning the works with boiling water does not sterilize the needle enough to kill it. You should be tested for HCV (hep c) as well as HIV.
If you are going to continue to use IV drugs, you should check into a needle exchange program so you won't spread blood borne pathogens like HIV, HCV, and HBV (hep b).
People, I'm sure this person knows he needs to not use IV drugs, but lecturing him here is not going to want to make him quit. It's something he will need to decide on his own.
Best wishes.

I don't think your supposed to put metal in the microwave..don't you know that? Needles?? Seriously..
I thought rinsing all of the paraphanalia in a bleach/water solution was the way to go for preventing HIV/AIDS infetion. I don't know about Hep B or C, though.
I do know there are needle exchange programs and you should be utilizing that to protect yourself. Maybe it's just my perception, but the way your question sounds it seems like you aren't terribly worried about your health ('at least "reduce" the risk..'). Please at least respect the health of others (not that drug users really do care about their own health anyway..) and be safe.

I always thought that metal and microwaves didn't mix well. I wouldn't try it. Not only should you be concerned with HIV but Hepatitis C as well.

No, a microwave would not work. This site has some good procedures.

Please consider getting help.

no it will not reduce it.. the only way to reduce it is not to share needles... there are even more diseases you can get by sharing needles... get your own and if you dont have your own then do not share!!! if someone uses yours, dont use it again... if reusing your own, you still need to boil them because bacteria can set up in them and cause diseases also... some drug stores have programs where if you turn your needle in, they will give you another one...

microwave cant kill the HIV virus in the needle.....why not buy a sterile needle to avoid infection?!pharmacies has that. you can buy it anytime.

You should be more concern about getting off the drugs. Both are dangerous. Get help now before it's too late. The very fact you wrote for advice means you want help, I'm praying for you.