Infectious diseases & the opioid epidemic

Infectious diseases and the opioid epidemic are two major public health crises that intersect in complex and devastating ways. The misuse of opioids, including both prescription painkillers and illicit substances like heroin and fentanyl, has contributed to a surge in infections such as HIV, hepatitis C, and bacterial endocarditis, often spread through unsafe injection practices. 

Understanding the connection between infectious diseases and opioid misuse is essential to developing effective prevention and treatment strategies that address both the biological and social dimensions of these intertwined epidemics.