Steroid use and HIV

You may know that sharing needles to inject drugs such as heroin puts
you at use for contracting HIV. It's important to know, however,
that sharing needles to inject steroids also puts you at risk for
contracting HIV.

At the start of every intravenous injection, blood is introduced into
needles and syringes. HIV can be found in the blood of a person
infected with the virus. The reuse of a blood-contaminated needle or
syringe by another drug injector (sometimes called "direct syringe
sharing") carries a high risk of HIV transmission because infected
blood can be injected directly into the bloodstream.

How can people who use injection drugs (including steroids) reduce
their risk for HIV infection?
Of course, the best way to protect yourself is to not use injection
drugs. If you cannot or will not stop injecting steroids, you should
take the following steps to reduce your risk for contracting HIV:
• Never reuse or "share" syringes, water, or drug preparation
equipment.
• Only use syringes obtained from a reliable source (such as
pharmacies or needle exchange programs).
• Use a new, sterile syringe to prepare and inject steroids.
• Clean the injection site prior to injection with a new alcohol
swab.
• Safely dispose of syringes after one use.

If you have to share or reuse needles or syringes, always clean them
first with bleach:
1. Rinse them with clean water several times.
2. Fill them to the top with clean, full-strength bleach. Leave
the bleach in for at least 30 seconds, then squirt it out. Do this
at least 3 times.
3. Fill them to the top with clean water, then squirt it out.
Do this at least 3 times.
4. Shake them while cleaning them.
5. Remember, to always rinse them with water after you rinse
them with bleach.
If you have any questions about HIV/AIDS, needle use or safe sex, you
can call our office at 570-322-8448 or toll-free in PA (800-773-
2437). All calls are confidential.

Some of the information above was adapted with permission from
www.stophiv.com. This program was funded, in part, under a contract
with the PA Department of Health. The Department specifically
disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations or
conclusions. Commonwealth of PA: Ed Rendell, Governor. Calvin
Johnson, M.D., Secretary of Health.