What Are the Effects of Sharing Needles?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• An IDU runs the inherent risk of being infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) when sharing needles. The risk for contracting HIV stems from the fact that blood is drawn into the needle tip and syringe. If an IDU is HIV positive and shares needles, any blood left in the syringe or needle comes in contact with another IDU's blood after he injects himself. Cotton and water also come in contact with HIV-infected blood during the cooking process to turn drugs into liquid form.

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

• Hepatitis is a virus that attacks the liver with different outcomes based on which virus a person carries. The hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses are passed as a result of needle sharing. Hepatitis B leads to cirrhosis or scaring of the liver. No definitive cure for hepatitis B exists, but the use of particular medicines has eliminated the virus in some carriers. Hepatitis C is the most serious of the hepatitis viruses and no definitive cure exists. Hepatitis C leads to liver cirrhosis and is the leading cause of liver transplants in the U.S.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

• The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reports that each year more than 12 million people in the U.S become infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). An STD is acquired by sharing needles. STDs such as syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia become serious if left untreated and lead to possible brain disease, heart disease and sterility.

Possible Blood and Bone Infections

• Sharing needles leads to an IDU contracting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureu (MRSA). MRSA is very serious and leads to either blood poisoning or pneumonia. An IDU is susceptible to a musculoskeletal infection, which is an infection of the bone and leads to septic arthritis or osteomyelitis.