Common Health Problems Associated with Substance Abuse: Sharing Needles

Diseases Commonly Associated with Substance Abuse Addictions

HIV

HIV is one of the biggest fears of people who use drugs intravenously — this virus is easily transmitted by reusing a dirty syringe. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, which, once sufficiently deficient, turns into a diagnosis of AIDS for the individual. People with AIDS have an immune system so diminished that the transmission of the common cold proves fatal for them without treatment.

Symptoms may not begin to surface for years, so unless you are tested for HIV specifically, you wouldn’t know if you are infected or not. Whoever you are sharing a needle with also doesn’t know their HIV status.

Good health practices are not common among IV drug users. The need for more of the substance they are addicted to usually occupies most of their time, money, and other resources. HIV is treatable but not curable. Fortunately, treatment has become highly efficient in suppressing the spread of the virus and keeping infected individuals relatively symptom free.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is another nightmarish disease that is commonly transmitted through needle sharing. There are several types of Hepatitis. However, not all have the same transmission vector. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted during IV drug use and cause liver inflammation. Additionally, Hepatitis B is preventable with immunization. Hepatitis B and C are treatable with medication.

One genotype of Hepatitis C, the most prevalent genotype in the United States, is curable. However, the cost of the cure is roughly $100,000 and takes several months to complete. Due to the significantly high costs, many people who need this cure cannot access it.

Other Infectious Diseases

There are many other infectious diseases possibly transmitted through needle exchange. The majority of these are treatable or curable with sufficient medical care. These could be bacterial, viral, parasitic, or other. Tetanus, Lyme Disease, and many others could cause life-threatening symptoms or require extensive drug treatment to overcome.

Acute Conditions: Cotton Fever from IV Drug Use

Cotton fever is one of the most unpleasant side effects of IV drug use. Cotton Fever is caused by bacteria that come with the cotton or from particles of cotton being introduced into the bloodstream during an injection. People who have experienced cotton fever say it is one of their most unpleasant experiences.

This temporary condition is caused by bacteria from the cotton plant or bacteria that has developed in the syringe that becomes bloodborne, triggering a tremendous response by the immune system. Symptoms include high fever reaching 104 degrees, chills, nausea, elevated heart rate, vomiting, pain in the muscles, joints, head, and abdomen, and burning pain in the kidneys and back.

Cotton fever can occur when using needles more than once or using something, not 100 percent sterile to filter out the non-water-soluble particles from a drug, such as cotton. You do not need to share needles with anyone. Just reusing your own can lead to cotton fever. However, sharing needles can increase the chances of developing such an infection.

If you experience cotton fever, know that its duration is limited to about 24 hours in most cases. Of course, that’s 24 hours of misery where the illness will run its course in most occurrences.

Ideally, you should see your doctor at the onset of symptoms. However, few people are willing or able to get medical treatment for drug-related illnesses. If the symptoms last more than a day, seek immediate medical care as you most likely need antibiotics or other medication to overcome the infection.