Other infections

Abscesses
Bacteria can be picked up on the needle and taken below the skin. They then multiply in the warm, moist, airless environment.

The body reacts by flooding the area with blood so that the white cells can fight the infection. This is why the area becomes hot, red and swollen. The body then seals off the infected area with a layer of scar tissue and the core created fills with pus as the body tries to kill the bacteria.

If you try to treat this yourself by squeezing or cutting you can break down the layer of scar tissue and allow the infection to spread. It is best to go to your GP. Your GP may treat the infection with antibiotics or, if the abscess is big and/or deep, s/he may surgically open it, and treat the wound so that it can heal properly.

If you are using painkilling drugs (such as heroin), remember that you may not be able to feel the pain from things like abscesses.

Abscesses can leave scar tissue as a mark on the surface of the skin or as a hard lump under the skin.

Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a serious infection of the skin. The infected area becomes hot, red, swollen and painful. It can spread to cover a whole arm or leg. The swelling is

usually severe and causes the skin to stretch tightly over the infected area, and can cause enough pressure on the blood vessels to cut off the blood supply. So, if an infection like this takes hold you must see a doctor urgently.

Septicemia
Septicemia (better known as blood poisoning) is the name given to a bacterial infection of the blood. The symptoms are a very high temperature and feeling very ill. If untreated, septicemia can kill, so anyone who thinks that they may have it should see a doctor quickly. There isn't always a warning such as a ‘dirty hit’ or an infected injection site: people can just become very ill with septecemia in the hours or days following a non-sterile injection.

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