SU & medical complications Flashcards
1
Q
reasons disease is a common complication of SUD
A
- IV injection
- drugs have pathogens
- contamination of needles
- chronic alcohol and drug use decreases immunity
- malnutrition: an issue in SUD clients
- bacteria such as Neisseria and Streptococcus on needle surfaces
- SUD clients living in close proximity in unclean settings, increasing risk of communicable diseases such as TB
2
Q
bacterial infections seen in intravenous drug abusers
A
- endocarditis
- Necrotizing fasciitis
- Skin abscesses/Cellulitis
3
Q
what is endocarditis
A
- When bacteria infect the valves of the heart
- Bacteria normally found on the skin
- Higher in IVDU
- Treatment with ABX
4
Q
what is Necrotizing fasciitis
A
- Special danger to cocaine users
- An infection in which subcutaneous tissues are attacked by bacteria normally found on the surface of the skin
5
Q
what bacterial infection is a special danger to cocaine users
A
Necrotizing fasciitis
6
Q
Skin abscesses/Cellulitis
A
Use of dirty needles, risk of sepsis if not treated with antibiotics.
7
Q
what is pneumonia
A
Acute infection of the lung tissue, normally caused by bacteria
8
Q
fungal pneumonia
A
Common complication of HIV infection and of heroin abuse/addiction
9
Q
aspirate pneumonia
A
strong relationship to alcohol use.
10
Q
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
A
- 20% with this condition will require hospitalization
- 45,000 die annually
- Pneumovax vaccination
- Poor living conditions
- Higher is clients with co-morbid medical conditions such as diabetes who have poor immune system
11
Q
What is tuberculosis
A
- Not just a bacterial infection of the lungs
- Other factors:
- Intensity of exposure
- Poor health
- Malnutrition
- SUD
12
Q
How is tuberculosis transmitted, and how does it kill?
A
- TB kills by invading the pulmonary system and can also infect virtually every organ in the body
- transmitted through droplets via sneezing/coughing
- bacteria can be dormant or become active if immune system low.
- Clients entering treatments centers for SUD need medical clearance for TB
13
Q
symptoms of TB
A
- productive coughing (mucous, blood)
- dry cough
- poor appetite
- GI symptoms
- SOB,
- chest pain
- flushed face,
- chronic fever
- night swears
- weight loss
- weakness
14
Q
treatment of TB
A
- Regimens can take as long as 12-24 months
- Lifestyle of typical alcohol/drug abusers often makes treatment compliance for TB very difficult
- Almost 20% of those with Tb also had SUD
- Remains potentially fatal
- Mantoux test- Skin test to assess if exposed to TB
- X-ray and sputum tests to confirm Dx
15
Q
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
A
- a constellation of symptoms, most important of which is the destruction of the individual’s immune system
- HIV destroys CD4 cells of immune system
- Person can remain asymptomatic before opportunistic infections appear.
