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How can
people who use injection drugs reduce their risk for HIV infection?
The CDC recommends that
people who inject drugs should be regularly counseled to
- stop using and injecting
drugs.
- enter and complete substance
abuse treatment, including relapse prevention.
For injection drug users
who cannot or will not stop injecting drugs, the following steps
may be taken to reduce personal and public health risks:
- Never reuse or "share"
syringes, water, or drug preparation equipment.
- Only use syringes obtained
from a reliable source (such as pharmacies or needle exchange
programs).
- Use a new, sterile syringe
to prepare and inject drugs.
- If possible, use sterile
water to prepare drugs; otherwise, use clean water from a reliable
source (such as fresh tap water).
- Use a new or disinfected
container ("cooker") and a new filter ("cotton")
to prepare drugs.
- Clean the injection site
prior to injection with a new alcohol swab.
- Safely dispose of syringes
after one use.
If new, sterile syringes
and other drug preparation and injection equipment are not available,
then previously used equipment should be boiled in water or disinfected
with bleach before reuse. More information on reducing HIV risks
associated with drug infection is contained in the "HIV Prevention Bulletin: Medical Advice For Persons
Who Inject Illicit Drugs"
(May 9, 1997).
Injection drug users and
their sex partners also should take precautions, such as using
condoms consistently and correctly, to reduce risks of sexual
transmission of HIV. For more information on condoms, see "Facts about Condoms and Their Use in Preventing HIV
Infection."
Persons who continue to
inject drugs should periodically be tested for HIV. |
