Pubdate: Sun, 08 Feb 2004
Source: Scotland On Sunday (UK)
Copyright: 2004 The Scotsman Publications Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.scotlandonsunday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/405
Author: Tom Curtis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

DOCTORS PUT ON ALERT AS TETANUS HITS DRUG USERS

AN OUTBREAK of the potentially fatal wound disease tetanus has prompted a 
warning to doctors to be vigilant.

Three people, all injecting drug users, have succumbed to the infection in 
Scotland and the cases are thought to be part of a UK-wide problem 
involving contaminated heroin.

The most recent patient, a 47-year-old woman from Glasgow, was hospitalised 
with muscle spasms and breathing problems 10 days ago.

Tetanus is caused by bacteria from the soil getting into the body through a 
wound. It is rare because of the immunisation programme, but anyone who has 
not had booster doses of vaccine can be at risk.

People who inject heroin deep below their skin - known as 'muscle-popping' 
- - are at high risk if their drugs or equipment are contaminated, even if 
their vaccine history is up to date.

Victims may die if antibiotics do not work and muscle spasms affect 
breathing and the heart.

Experts fear a batch of contaminated heroin may have been brought in to the 
UK and is responsible for the new cases. Fifteen people have been made ill 
in total across Britain.

A spokesman at the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health 
said the Glasgow woman was in a "critical" condition in a city hospital, 
where she was being treated with antibiotics.

Greater Glasgow's health board has asked family doctors to be alert to the 
symptoms of the disease and to report any suspected cases immediately.

Meanwhile, the UK's Health Protection Agency has issued advice to drug users.

A spokesman said: "Cases keep appearing and this may be because a large 
batch of contaminated drugs is responsible, which is still being used.

"You need to know the symptoms because if tetanus is suspected early, 
life-saving treatment can be given in hospital."

Blood is better at killing bacteria than muscle, so addicts who insist on 
injecting are being told to hit a vein instead. They are also being warned 
not to share equipment.
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