The opioid epidemic has led to a
rise in the spread of blood-borne diseases. This includes infections such as hepatitis B and C, HIV, and bacterial infections that can lead to inflammation of the heart's inner lining, known as endocarditis. Sharing needles and other injection drug paraphernalia that have not been sterilized is a critical way that HIV and hepatitis C are spread. The growing tendency of injecting drug use (IDU) has exposed different groups, notably the youth, to higher risks of contracting these infections.
Health issues relating to opioid use disorder (OUD) aren't just restricted to hepatitis C and HIV. Increased prevalence in drug use has also resulted in a spike in hospitalizations and unfortunate fatalities due to skin infections, bone marrow inflammation, infected joints, bloodstream infections, brain infections, and heart inflammation.
With the rise of IDU-associated infectious syndromes, the medical community is facing challenges in delivering comprehensive care. Often, when patients with OUD have related infections, the core issue of addiction can be overshadowed. As a result, a limited number receive critical therapies such as
medications for addiction treatment (MAT). Incidentally, even when addiction care is provided, it may not be adequately coordinated with infectious disease care.
Evidence indicates that patients with drug-related infections benefit significantly from addiction treatment, resulting in better survival rates. Similarly, HIV-positive patients undergoing substance use disorder treatments show better viral management and adherence to their HIV regimens. For hepatitis C patients, concurrent MAT within the primary care setting often paves the way for successful treatments and favorable outcomes.
If you or someone you know needs comprehensive hepatitis C or HIV treatment, take the next step. Call Porch Light Health today at
866-394-6123 for expert addiction and infectious disease treatment solutions.
