HIV/AIDS: Why is injection drug use a risk for HIV transmission?


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	Global Health Reporting Why is injection drug use a risk for HIV transmission? At the start of every injection, blood is introduced into the needle and syringe. Therefore, a needle and syringe that an HIV-positive person uses can contain blood that contains the virus. The reuse of a blood-contaminated needle or syringe by another drug injector carries a high risk of HIV transmission because infected blood can be injected directly into the bloodstream. Sharing other drug-using equipment also can be a risk for spreading HIV. Infected blood can be introduced into drug solutions through using blood-contaminated syringes to prepare drugs; reusing water; reusing bottle caps, spoons, or other containers used to dissolve drugs in water and to heat drug solutions; or reusing small pieces of cotton or cigarette filters used to filter out particles that could block the needle. Overview Facts at a Glance FAQ Libraries Organizations

What factors make women more vulnerable to HIV infection?

A combination of biological, social, cultural and economic factors contribute to women's increased vulnerability. In particular, gender inequalities prevent women from asserting power over their own lives and controlling the circumstances that increase their vulnerability to infection. Women are also physiologically more susceptible to becoming infected with HIV than men.

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