Risks for Injection Drug Users

Barry, age 61, is a long-time drug user who has been injecting drugs for over 30 years. Generally, he practices good hygiene. But, sometimes, if he or a friend is short of money, he may share his "works." A drug outreach worker suggested that Barry get tested for HIV.

Injecting drug use is the third most frequently reported risk factor in adults over age 50 and appears to be increasing. According to the CDC, between 1991 and 1996, the number of men aged 50 and over reporting injecting drug use increased 53%. Among women in this age category, cases increased 75%.

Injecting drug use as a risk factor may be higher than reported by the CDC. Heroin and cocaine injection are illegal, a situation that encourages users of all ages who have HIV to report sexual as opposed to drug-related HIV exposure. Also, in coping with life on the streets and to avoid criminal charges, older users appear to have developed many strategies for avoiding detection by law enforcement authorities.

Risk for HIV transmission among older injectors may be high due to the effects of aging on their immune system and physical damage to their body that has been incurred through a lifetime of drug-related abuse.

People who inject drugs may also be at risk for hepatitis C. Even people who don't currently inject drugs, but may have done so 20 or 30 years ago, may have been exposed to hepatitis C and should be tested.