Infiltration complications are rare, and the condition may resolve with the removal of the IV line and proper management. Severe cases of IV infiltration may cause complications such Drug rehabilitation as poor circulation and tissue death. The person receiving treatment must understand infiltration, as this can help them recognize and report any symptoms early on.
- Of the 1,428 total patients identified, 824 were male (58%) and 604 were female (42%).
- Participants reported occasional syringe sharing during instances of syringe shortages while injecting in the company of close network members where perceived HCV and HIV status was known.
Here Are Some Common Signs of An Overdose
Some patients readily admit to injection drug use, but for others, a thorough physical examination is needed to detect evidence of injection. There are numerous complications from injection drug use, some unique to https://dev-thrivepluse.pantheonsite.io/2024/08/27/best-sober-tattoo-ideas-3/ the type of drug being used. The complications of every injectable drug are outside of the scope of this article; we will be focusing instead on complications of the injection route of drug use. However, some notable complications of a few injectable drugs will be discussed. Misusing any drug can cause serious health complications and result in long-term consequences. Injecting a drug is one of the most dangerous forms of drug misuse, as it bypasses your skin’s natural defense systems.
IV Drug Use Complications
Gas-forming anaerobic bacteria are commonly involved in combination with aerobic gram-negative bacteria, and prompt surgical debridement and broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy is necessary 13. It is a life-threatening surgical emergency but can be difficult to recognise clinically in its early stages. Early imaging findings are similar to those in cellulitis but are more extensive and involve deeper structures. Although it is not seen in all cases, a distinguishing sign is the presence of gas within the subcutaneous tissues. This may be seen on plain X-rays as lucency within the soft tissues, or on ultrasound as hyperechoic foci with intense posterior shadowing (Fig. 5).
Endocarditis
However, although appearing to be very rare, there are a few case reports of septic emboli from infective endocarditis causing mesenteric ischemia (29, 30). Talc is a bulking agent that can be injected with IV drugs and can lead to pulmonary talcosis, in which talc particles travel to the pulmonary vasculature and interstitium and cause a granulomatous reaction (27). It can lead to acute respiratory failure, and as the disease progresses can lead to the conglomeration of micronodules into masses, emphysema, chronic respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension, and right heart failure (27). It can present as diffuse infiltrates or ground-glass opacities on imaging (25). Complications from septic emboli due to infective endocarditis to other organ systems are mentioned throughout this article in their respective sections. It is not exactly known when drug injections started iv drug use complications to be abused, but it is postulated that the Civil War in the U.S. and the Franco-Prussian War in Europe might have been contributing factors by creating widespread morphine addiction (2).
Check out our blog posts and resource links for the latest information on substance abuse. One of the main concerns is the transmission of bloodborne viruses, including HIV and hepatitis B and C. Using recreational IV drugs is dangerous and will certainly lead to serious health problems with continued use (or even a single use). If you or someone you know is using IV drugs, you want to be aware of these serious health concerns. First, IV drugs can be laced with potent substances such as fentanyl or even animal tranquilizers.
HEPATITIS C (formerly known as “non-A, non-B“ hepatitis and also referred to as “HCV“) is spread through blood- to-blood contact and is very infectious, which means you can acquire it quite easily if exposed to it. There are oral and blood tests available that detect whether or not you have antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in your blood, which, if positive, should be confirmed with a second test. The only way to test whether or not you have the actual virus in your blood is by getting a confirmatory test which shows whether you have a current infection or not. There is as yet no vaccine for hepatitis C, and antibodies are not protective—that is, they don’t make you immune to re-infection as with HBV. Currently, there is only prevention by avoiding blood-to-blood contact with use of sterile injection equipment, by not sharing injection equipment, and through safer sex. Always using new, sterile injection equipment; never sharing injection equipment; thoroughly washing your hands and clean- ing the skin prior to injection; and preparing your drugs on a clean surface will all help prevent necrotizing fasciitis infections.
