Resources » Opioid Use Disorder Resources by Topic » Infectious Diseases

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are closely intertwined with the opioid epidemic, particularly due to the widespread practice of injection drug use among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). The sharing of needles, syringes, and other drug paraphernalia among people who inject opioids significantly increases the risk of transmitting bloodborne infections such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. Furthermore, chronic opioid use can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to various infectious diseases. The opioid epidemic has also exacerbated social determinants of health such as homelessness and poverty, which further contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. Addressing infectious diseases within the context of the opioid epidemic requires comprehensive strategies that focus on harm reduction, access to healthcare services, and addressing social determinants of health to effectively mitigate the transmission of infections and improve health outcomes for individuals affected by OUD.

Infectious Disease Resources

Websites

HCV Current

HCV Current is a national initiative of the ATTC Network to increase hepatitis C (HCV) knowledge among medical and behavioral health professionals.

Risk of Infectious Diseases in Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder

This website from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) underscores the heightened risk of infectious diseases, such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases, among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD).

Infectious Diseases in Persons Who Inject Drugs

This resource, from the CDC, highlights the intersection of the opioid crisis and infectious diseases among people who inject drugs (PWID), including viral hepatitis, HIV, and bacterial and fungal infections. It emphasizes the importance of evidence-based prevention programs, such as syringe services programs (SSPs), in providing comprehensive services like sterile syringe access, testing, vaccination, and linkage to care. The CDC's efforts focus on implementing these programs to mitigate the spread of infections and offer support and resources for individuals affected by substance use disorders.

Tools & Resources

Change Point

Change Point is a harm reduction program, providing confidential and judgment-free resources to support safer substance use and sexual behavior. Services are free and open to everyone, regardless of whether they are regular HOPES patients. The program also includes a mobile outreach van offering syringe services and rapid testing within the community.

Syringe Services Programs

This CDC resource highlights the vital role of Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) in preventing infectious diseases, providing sterile supplies, testing, counseling, and treatment referrals while promoting community safety.

Posters & Infographics

A CDC fact sheet titled “Hepatitis C & Injection Drug Use.” The left column explains what hepatitis C is, its symptoms, and the importance of testing. It describes hepatitis C as a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, which can lead to chronic infection and severe health problems. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, gray-colored stool, joint pain, and yellowing of skin and eyes, though many people have no symptoms. It advises anyone who has ever injected drugs to get tested and explains the antibody and RNA testing process. The right column features a small image of a man preparing an injection, overlaid with the text, “All equipment used to prepare and inject drugs can spread Hepatitis C when contaminated and shared.” Below, a section titled “How is Hepatitis C spread among people who inject drugs?” explains that the virus is highly infectious and can survive on surfaces and equipment for up to six weeks. It lists risk factors, including sharing or reusing needles and syringes, contaminated preparation equipment, fingers that come into contact with infected blood, and contaminated surfaces.

Fact Sheets: Hepatitis C & Injection Drug Use

CDC fact sheets (available in English and Spanish) on hepatitis C, covering symptoms, testing, prevention, treatment, how it spreads among people who inject drugs, and the importance of hepatitis A and B vaccination.

Get the Fact Sheets

A CDC poster with the text, “No stigma. Just safekeeping. When providing services for patients who inject drugs, provide them support and inform them that hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination can protect them for life.” The image shows a middle-aged man in glasses talking to a young man in casual clothing during a small group discussion.

“No Stigma” Poster

Remind clinicians and service providers to avoid unintentionally introducing stigma when talking to patients who inject drugs about hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination.

Download Poster

A CDC poster with the text, “You deserve to be healthy. If you’ve ever used or injected drugs, make sure your liver is protected from hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Ask your healthcare provider for safe, effective vaccines today.” The image shows a woman wearing a black knit hat and a serious expression, standing against a brick wall.

“You Deserve to Be Healthy” Poster

Remind people who inject drugs that vaccination can protect them from hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Download Poster

Publications

Guide to Integrating HCV Services into Opioid Treatment Programs

This guide is intended to build the capacity of publicly funded Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) to integrate Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) prevention and treatment services into their programs. The guide may also be useful for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), community and healthcare coalitions, nonprofit organizations and other substance use disorder and HCV treatment providers.

Guide to Integrating Infectious Disease Testing and Treatment Services in Opioid Treatment Programs

This Guide provides insights, examples, and strategies to support OTPs in integrating infectious disease services into behavioral health programming.

TIP 53: Addressing Viral Hepatitis in People With Substance Use Disorders

This manual assists behavioral health professionals who treat people living with substance use disorders in understanding the implications of a hepatitis diagnosis. It discusses screening and referrals, and explains how to evaluate a program's hepatitis practices. Access the literary review.

Advisory: Treatment Substance Use Disorders Among People with HIV

This Advisory is based on TIP 37, Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons With HIV/AIDS. It highlights strategies and considerations for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers to effectively engage people with HIV in SUD treatment.

Safety and Effectiveness of Syringe Services Programs

This CDC resource discusses the safety and effectiveness of Syringe services programs (SSPs) which are proven and effective community-based prevention programs that can provide a range of services and protect the public and first responders by facilitating the safe disposal of used needles and syringes.

Webinars & Online Learning

More resources will be added soon, please check back.

Current News & Research

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies Evaluating the Effect of Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder on Infectious Disease Outcomes

McNamara, K. F., Biondi, B. E., Hernández-Ramírez, R. U., Taweh, N., Grimshaw, A. A., & Springer, S. A. (2021). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies Evaluating the Effect of Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder on Infectious Disease Outcomes. Open forum infectious diseases, 8(8), ofab289. https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofab289

Integrating Responses to the Opioid Use Disorder and Infectious Disease Epidemics

Springer, S. A., Merluzzi, A. P., & Del Rio, C. (2020). Integrating Responses to the Opioid Use Disorder and Infectious Disease Epidemics: A Report From the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. JAMA, 324(1), 37–38. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.2559