Nonviral Injection-Related Injuries in Persons Who Inject Drugs: Skin and Soft Tissue Infection, Vascular Damage, and...

To explore skin and soft-tissue infections and vascular damage in persons who inject drugs and relate these changes to wound development and care.

This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to:1. Review the issues surrounding wound infections in persons who inject drugs.2. Describe the risk factors and manifestations of wound infections in persons who inject drugs.3. Summarize the treatment options for wound infections in persons who inject drugs.

The number of persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) is increasing. The literature has placed a substantial focus on the association between injection drug use and the transmission of blood-borne viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis C, but there is less extant research on other injuries such as skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), vascular damage, and associated wounds. Both SSTIs and vascular injury can result in marked morbidity and mortality and wounds that are slow to heal, likely to reoccur, and lifelong. The aims of this article are to (1) explore SSTIs and vascular damage in PWIDs and (2) relate these changes to wound development and care. Providers must address the health and psychosocial problems of PWIDs; take physical, psychosocial, and substance use histories; and develop multifocal plans of care. Finally, care must be provided in a nonjudgmental manner.