Infections in the Injection Drug Abuser

AbstractPurpose of ReviewIntravenous drug abuse (IVDA) represents a significant economic, social, and health burden to society and is one of the most dangerous ways to administer a drug, and medical management often falls on the shoulders of the emergency department provider. This review seeks to provide an update on the etiology, common infectious agents, and treatment modalities specific to IV drug abuse.Recent FindingsIV drug use conveys serious health hazards and in particular cutaneous, soft tissue, and systemic infections. Illicit drug use carries with it social stigma, and patients may be reluctant to admit to using, so it is important to look for and recognize the clinical manifestations of drug use. Specific infectious agents may be related to individual batch preparation, inducing a local outbreak, and it is important to be on high alert for the sequela of IV drug abuse-related infection as early as possible.SummaryAny needle-administered drug, including those given via intramuscular or subcutaneous routes, carries with it the risk of contamination, and both nutritional and immunologic status have an effect on the seeding and severity of infection.
Source: Current Emergency and Hospital Medicine Reports - Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research