You can also become infected through the use of needles or other invasive instruments contaminated by blood containing HIV. In numerous countries, the sharing of needles and syringes in the injection of illicit drugs is the reason for the very fast spread of infections among users of illicit drugs and their sexual partners.

Also risky are all non-medical procedures using non-sterilised instruments used for piercing or cutting skin, e.g.: in piercing ears and other body parts, tattooing, acupuncture, male or female circumcision. The risk is conditioned especially by the prevalence of HIV infection in a particular environment. These procedures can be very risky in countries with a large number of infected persons.

Skin-piercing procedures using non-sterilised instruments (e.g., piercing ears and other body parts, tattooing, acupuncture) also bring the risk of HIV infection. If you consider these interventions, ask whether the necessary instruments have been properly sterilised. The risk is higher in countries with a high prevalence of HIV infections.

In Slovenia, the field of skin piercing, tattooing and similar procedures is regulated by provisions which must be observed by all operators providing such services. As a customer, you must be informed about all health risks (HIV, Hepatitis B etc) before the procedure; you are recommended, however, to find additional information about the safety level of procedures provided by individual operators.

HIV can be also contracted in invasive procedures in health care organisations when instruments (e.g. needles, syringes, other sharp objects and dental instruments) are not properly sterilised or prepared for single use. In Slovenia, all invasive procedures in health care are performed with appropriately sterilised instruments or instruments for single use. This, however, does not necessary apply for other, especially poor developing countries, where the health service is not as organised.