Hong Kong University experts have cautioned that acupuncture could lead to the spread of illnesses such as Hepatitis B and HIV.

The experts recommend a proper survey of the acupuncture industry. They also call for strict standards of sanitation to confine the spread of diseases.

Prof. Patrick Woo and his colleagues evince that more than 80 people worldwide may have contracted Hepatitis B from acupuncture since 1970. They have brought out their views in the British Medical Journal.

This figure is in fact superficial and points to graver problems within the acupuncture industry. Experts concur that a fraction of the problem may be the convention of using alcohol solutions to disinfect the needles.

Alcohol solutions prove ineffective against certain viruses. Experts caution that only disposable needles should be employed to perform acupuncture.

Besides these grave and fatal diseases, acupuncture has also led to the spread of bacterial infections. Most of those affected recover soon with treatment. Only 5 to 10 % of the infections have the propensity of causing joint destruction, multi-organ failure, flesh eating bugs and paralysis.

Prof. Patrick Woo declares, "To prevent infections transmitted by acupuncture, infection control measures should be implemented, such as use of disposable needles, skin disinfection procedures and aseptic techniques".