Blood-Borne Infections

Many viruses, including HIV-1 and several hepatitis viruses, are transferred by needle sharing and blood transfusions. Diseases associated with these viruses are a particular problem with intravenous drug users. They are also problematic in countries where the same hypodermic syringe is used with multiple patients. In the 1980s, before blood supplies were rigorously protected, many transfusion recipients acquired HIV through blood donated by infected persons. Moreover, healthcare workers occasionally caught the virus through accidental needle sticks. As antibiotic-resistant HIV becomes more common, it too will move among intravenous drug users through needle sharing. Our response to blood-borne pathogens has been to break the lines of tran....