OFFICERS LOOK FOR GREATER PROTECTION

Sgt. Michael Clemmons was overcome with a variety of emotions when he felt
the hypodermic needle stick his finger. "When I first got pricked by the
needle, I was immediately depressed," said the Wilmington Police Department
officer. "After that wore off I got a little angry.

It was a lot of mental stress.

You can't really put it in words." He was searching through a stolen bag,
searching for evidence in a murder last month, when the needle pierced his
skin.

It was the last thing he expected, and he was wearing latex gloves ". . .
but rubber gloves don't do a bit of good with needles," he said.

Doctors have determined the exposure wasn't high-risk and have removed Sgt.
Clemmons from a powerful drug treatment that left him sick for days. It's
not over for him yet, but he said he believes the worst is behind him.

"There's nothing I can do about it now," Sgt. Clemmons said.

Ten or more police officers received medical treatment last year after
being exposed to blood pathogens, said Bob Skaggs, safety manager with the
city's Department of Human Resources. That's why the Wilmington Police
Department is looking into buying gloves that offer more protection against
needle sticks and blood contact.

It's the same for New Hanover County Sheriff's deputies, but the number of
exposures is less than that of the Police Department. No more than four
deputies received medical treatment after exposure to pathogens last year,
said Mike Winebar, the county's occupational safety officer.

"Most of our exposure to blood pathogens is in our jail area," he said. "A
lot of deputies will wear (gloves) continually throughout their shift."

It's a safe practice, experts agree.

Since 1983, there have been 511 reported cases of HIV in New Hanover
County, said Vivian Mears, a registered nurse and HIV program nurse with
the county Health Department. Last year, 42 cases of HIV were reported.
There were 30 reported cases of Hepatitis B and no reported cases of
Hepatitis C, she said.

"Those are very underreported diseases," Ms. Mears said. "We know there
are many, many people with Hepatitis C who do not realize they carry the
disease."

Most officers and deputies have received the hepatitis vaccine. Those who
have not been vaccinated and are exposed to the disease receive an immuno
globulin, said Dan Shapiro, a physician's assistant and director of Medac
Corporate Health Services, which serves county employees.

If an officer or deputy is thought to have been exposed to a blood-borne
pathogen, they must have their blood checked immediately.

Those exposed to HIV must receive treatment within two to three hours after
the initial exposure, Mr. Shapiro said. Treatment includes a combination of
three medications that must be injected at least 30 days.

"This is a serious medication," Mr. Shapiro said. "It can possibly affect
the liver and pancreas. It's not considered safe in pregnancy." Side
effects may include muscle aches and pains, nausea and diarrhea. These
symptoms may persist during initial treatment. Some who receive the
treatment become violently ill, Mr. Shapiro said.

The patient must endure HIV tests for nearly one year. The first test is
taken six weeks after the patient finishes drug treatment. Three months
later, the patient returns for a second test, then must return in six
months for a final test. This process can take an emotional toll on
patients and their families. It certainly affects sexual relations between
an officer and his or her spouse.

"I think that people do not understand the gravity of this thing until they
go through it," Mr. Shapiro said.

Wilmington Police are looking into purchasing a thicker glove to help
prevent such cases.
There are gloves on the market that prevent needle sticks and offer better
protection against pathogen contact.

These gloves cost an average of $25 to $30 a pair. Buying one pair per
officer would cost about $9,000, said Capt. G.B. Hickman, who supervises
the Professional Standards Division of the Wilmington Police Department.

"We're trying to be as cost-effective to the city as we can," Capt. Hickman
said. "It appears on the surface that it would be more prudent to buy the
gloves."

Average treatment for an officer exposed to blood is between $4,000 and
$5,000.

Proper protection from exposure has no price, he said. "We're just trying
to protect ourselves," he said.