1. Clean the skin with soap and
water or with alcohol. Let it dry.
Injections
2. Put the needle all the way in.
Move quickly and
smoothly as you
insert the needle
and it will not hurt
much. Do not
move the needle
once it is in.
3. Pull the plunger of the syringe
out just a little. If
any blood comes
into the syringe,
you have gone
into a vein. Take
the needle out
and try again.
4. If no blood enters
the syringe, slowly
but steadily push
the plunger in to
inject the medicine
into the muscle.
5. Pull out the syringe.
6. Immediately put the used syringe somewhere where it cannot stick anyone.
If you are using a disposable syringe, you should
have a box or can close by where you can safely get rid
of the needle (see page 68).
If you will use the syringe again, you should drop it
in a bucket of bleach, or bleach mixed with water, and
then sterilize it (see page 66).
Note: Before you inject a person, practice injecting plain water into a
fruit or soft vegetable to get experience using a syringe.
WARNING! Used needles are dangerous. They may carry
serious diseases like hepatitis or HIV.
• D o not try to put a cap back onto a dirty needle —
you might stick a needle into your own skin and
pass harmful germs from the needle into your blood.
• N ever throw a needle in the trash or leave it where
other people might stick themselves.
• If you reuse a needle, always sterilize it first.
349
A Book for Midwives (2010)