This article discusses the way in which the so-called urban legends are inscribed in, and in the same process, transform an archive of narratives present in the social imaginary, in a relation of supplementarity. In particular, a group of narratives on the topic of needle contamination, such as they circulate in a virtual discussion forum, are examined as being part of a discursive practice whereby a certain knowledge about contagion risks in contemporary society is constructed and reenacted.
urban legends; archive; contamination
