[Bad shots--skin and soft tissue infections following intravenous drug abuse]

Abstract

Infection at the injection site following parenteral drug abuse is a well known complication. In Oslo, Norway's capital city with a population of 500,000, most of these infections are treated on an out-patient basis in the surgical department at Oslo Legevakt, a publicly funded primary health care facility. During the four last months of 1998, 179 patients were admitted with skin and soft tissue infections at the injection site compared to only 46 in the same period in 1993. This suggests that the problem is increasing. In this retrospective study these populations were analysed according to their age, sex, clinical appearance, and the treatment given. In 1998, 36 patients were admitted to hospital, the rest treated on an out-patient basis. A total of 112 patients were treated with simple incision and drainage, 63 of whom were given antibiotics. 37 patients were treated with antibiotics only. There were few complications; two patients with deep venous thrombosis and one in need of skin transplantation. We saw no development of life threatening infections among our patients. The article also gives suggestions for treatment.