[Needle spiking : medical and social issues].

The phenomenon of needle spiking/pricking entails the non-consensual puncturing of a person with a sharp object, usually occurring in a festive setting. During their consultations, victims of this type of assault report concerns regarding the administration of substances which could lead to drug-facilitated submission, transmission of pathogens, namely HIV, hepatitis B and C, and violation of their corporeal integrity. The patient's unique perception, alongside the social representations of these risks, prompt the healthcare professional to adopt a stance of attentive listening, humaneness, and thoughtfulness, in conjunction with a clinical and biological assessment. This article provides an overview of the implications following these incursions, at the intersection of medical and social dimensions.