Author: Alex Thompson

Persons Who Inject Drugs PWID

While wound botulism is a less common illness, it is very serious and can develop when a germ known as Clostridium botulinum enters a wound or injection site and creates a toxin. When the body’s nerves are targeted, it can cause difficulty breathing and general muscle weakness. HIV is a chronic autoimmune disease that can occur from a contaminated needle. IV drug users, especially those who share needles, are at an increased risk of developing HIV.

Speak with your healthcare provider to determine which option may be more beneficial for you or your loved one. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

In addition to heroin, other common IV drugs include Talwin, fentanyl, buprenorphine and hydrocodone. Necrotizing fasciitis, the so-called “flesh-eating disease,” is a rare but serious infection that can affect people who inject IV drugs. Hepatitis doesn’t cause sepsis, but the virus can cause damage to your liver, which puts you at higher risk for infections. Subcutaneous injection (skin popping) can cause characteristic circular scars or ulcers; there may be signs of previous abscesses.

When do doctors give opioids by IV?

In addition to the germs present on the skin, an infection can occur from a contaminated needle that carries bacteria or germs. When a contaminated needle is used, it directly introduces the bacteria into the body and potentially the bloodstream. If left to heal, a collapsed vein may show improvement after the inflammation has gone down. A healed collapsed vein can function normally, with blood flowing through the vein once again. However, if IV drug use is continued in the same injection site, permanent vein collapse can occur. One of the most common symptoms of vein collapse is cold hands or feet due to reduced circulation.

But drugs such as opioids, amphetamines, methamphetamines, and cocaine are also taken intravenously. Nearly all drugs can be injected intravenously, but some are more commonly used than others. It is also common to dissolve various pills, powders, and salts into a liquid solution consumed as a part of IV drug use. Finding the right one for yourself or a loved one suffering from IV drug addiction will depend on several factors. These may include which drugs are being taken and how long they have been administered intravenously.

IV drug use is especially dangerous as it can expose your body to toxins that cause bloodborne infections. The dangers of IV drug use include an increased risk of infection, permanent damage and raised risk of an overdose. Misusing IV drugs can increase your risk of developing various infections. Bacterial infections from IV drug use may occur when the germs on the skin are pushed into the body when a needle is used.

1. Chronic IV drug use can be confirmed by observing track marks due to repeated injections into subcutaneous veins.
2. IV drug use involves introducing a drug directly into the bloodstream through a needle.
3. In addition to heroin, other common IV drugs include Talwin, fentanyl, buprenorphine and hydrocodone.
4. As necrotizing fasciitis develops, it destroys the tissues beneath the skin.

The unintentional administration of a therapy outside a vein, termed extravasation or infiltration, may cause other side effects. Misusing any medication or drug is dangerous and can result in an overdose. However, one of the most severe health dangers of IV drug use is that it significantly increases the risk of overdosing and death. IV drug use introduces a drug directly to the bloodstream, heightening and intensifying its effects. Access to comprehensive prevention services is essential for all persons who inject drugs. More than 1 million people in the U.S. have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Initially, HIV causes symptoms similar to the flu, including body aches, chills and fever. Abscesses are a common complication of intravenous drug use, resulting in an uncomfortable collection of pus under the skin. IV drug use can increase the risk of developing an abscess significantly, as well as skin infections and inflammation. For those with an abscess, the skin often feels warm, sensitive and painful to the touch. Understanding the risk factors for skin and soft-tissue abscesses can help prevent the development of drug-related abscesses.

Types of central venous catheters

Read on to learn about the two main tools used for IV administration — standard IV lines and central venous catheters — including why they’re used and what the risks are. There’s a very low risk of opioid use disorder after short-term IV use. If this is a concern for you, talk with your healthcare team about your concerns. If you’re living with or have lived with OUD or substance use disorder, talk with your healthcare team about this to the level of your comfort. Giving as much information as possible is always safest and best, but everyone has different comfort levels with this topic.

If a person is likely to need long-term intravenous therapy, a medical port may be implanted to enable easier repeated access to the vein without having to pierce the vein repeatedly. A catheter can also be inserted into a central vein through the chest, which is known as a tunneled line. The specific type of catheter used and site of insertion are affected by the desired substance to be administered and the health of the veins in the desired site of insertion. Endocarditis is an infection that develops in the heart’s inner lining or valves. This infection can occur when fungi and bacteria enter the bloodstream. Symptoms of endocarditis may develop quickly for some patients while developing more slowly for others.

Intravenous Medication Administration: What to Know

In some cases, patients may experience a long recovery even if they receive the antitoxin promptly. Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that can result in red streaking of the skin, tenderness, inflammation and pain in the infected area. If cellulitis is left untreated, it can cause serious complications and health problems. When a virus, bacteria or other germs are introduced and trapped beneath the skin, an abscess can form. Local infection in the skin results in the body’s immune system trying to defend itself from the infection by sending white blood cells to the infected area.

Prompt treatment is needed as this condition can develop and spread quickly. Discussing options with your healthcare team can help minimize side effects and the potential for overdose with IV opioids. Feel free to ask questions so you can be well-informed and be involved in making decisions about your treatment. Since IV opioids start to work much faster, they have a stronger effect on your brain’s reward system and can increase your risk of OUD.

Bacterial infection

The catheter allows your healthcare professional to give you multiple safe doses of medication without needing to poke you with a needle each time. Antibiotics are often needed to treat septic thrombophlebitis effectively. If you have symptoms of septic thrombophlebitis, you should seek immediate medical attention. An early diagnosis can increase the chance of effective treatment and minimize the potential for possible medical complications.