[Diseases in heroin addiction]

An analysis of the medical pathologies seen in heroin addicts heroin addicts hospitalized in the Provincia de Vizcaya, Basque Country, Spain, from 1982 to 1987, and its possible association to the infection by the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, is presented. An increasing of hospitalized addicts per year was observed, being infectious diseases the main pathology detected. HIV infection was present in more than 90% of individuals with non opportunistic acquired infections. Significant annual increase in the number of tuberculosis and candida infections was present. The possible association of HIV infection with increased susceptibility to commonly acquired non opportunistic infections is discussed.