The opioid epidemic is changing the epidemiology of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious disease. To address the infectious disease consequences of the opioid crisis, a public workshop titled Integrating Infectious Disease Considerations with Response to the Opioid Epidemic was convened on March 12 and 13, 2018. Participants discussed the scope of the problem, giving particular attention to viral hepatitis, HIV, and endocarditis.
Attention was given to reducing the infectious disease comorbidities of injection drug use, especially strategies that emphasize empathy, respectful treatment, and patient-centeredness.
Speakers at the workshop presented on how the opioid epidemic has changed the epidemiology of infectious disease. In panel and open discussion, participants discussed strategies to prevent and treat infections in people who inject drugs, as well as strategies to identify patients who are present with these infections who are in need of treatment for their addiction.