Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,National Center for HIV Viral Hepatitis STD and TB Prevention

This information sheet supports the use of syringe exchange programs (SEPs) for injecting drug users, who will not or cannot stop injecting drugs, as one method of lowering the risk of IDUs acquiring or transmitting HIV. SEPs allow IDUs to safely dispose of used syringes and obtain sterile ones at no cost and offer prevention and health care education and services. The information sheet discusses the public health impact of SEPs and considers the challenges for SEPs and ways of supporting access to sterile syringes through SEPs.

This information sheet explains that in order to reduce the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne infections, injecting drug users (IDUs), who cannot or will not stop injecting drugs, must have access to sterile syringes and injection equipment. However, many laws and regulations prohibit IDUs from purchasing these items. Some states have changed these laws and regulations and have seen positive results.

This information sheet discusses the problem of safe disposal of used syringes by diabetics as well as injecting drug users (IDUs) to prevent needlestick injuries and transmission of blood-borne diseases like HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis. The information sheet explains the public concern with syringe disposal, presents safe disposal methods that have been used in some communities, and notes that barriers to syringe disposal programs include laws that establish criminal penalties for distribution and possession of drug paraphernalia.

This document lays out the communications goal, objectives, target audiences, and key strategies and tactics to support the National Plan to Eliminate Syphilis from the United States. It is based on a review of the literature on syphilis prevention and elimination; media coverage of the syphilis elimination program launch; key informant interviews; and meetings with CDC's communications staff from the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP), Office of the Director (OD), Division of STD Prevention (DSTD), and meetings of the DSTD Health Communications Working Group.

This information sheet discusses the role of pharmacies in efforts to help injecting drug users (IDUs) gain access to sterile syringes and equipment in order to reduce their risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV and other blood-borne diseases.The information sheet lists advantages of pharmacy sales, the barriers to pharmacy sales, the changes that some states have made to legalize pharmacy sales, and suggestions for encouraging more pharmacy sales of syringes to IDUs who will not or cannot stop injecting drugs.

This information sheet discusses the necessity for injecting drug users (IDUs), who cannot or will not stop injecting drugs, to have access to sterile syringes in order to prevent the spread of HIV. The sheet explains that (1) the method used to prepare and inject drugs offers many opportunities for the spread of HIV and hepatitis viruses, (2) IDUs do not generally have access to sterile syrnges because most states have laws that restrict the sale and distribution of sterile syringes, and (3) safe disposal of used syringes is also a concern.

This MMWR provides revised guidelines for HIV counseling, testing, and referral (CTR) and revised recommendations for HIV screening of pregnant women. It encourages the availability of anonymous and confidential HIV testing and informed, voluntary, and consented HIV testing; access to testing and effective provision of test results; and using a prevention counseling approach aimed at personal risk reduction for HIV-infected persons and persons at increased risk for HIV infection.

This report provides updated data on the incidence and prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the United States resulting from anonymous unlinked surveys conducted by health clinics in selected metropolitan areas. Included in this report are summaries of data from January 1993 through December 1977 from unlinked prevalence surveys conducted in selected STD clinics, drug treatment centers (DTCs), and adolescent medicine clinics, as well as data from HIV screening programs for entrants in the Job Corps, military service, and first-time blood donors.

This comprehensive plan for health care professionals and policy makers addresses the prevention and control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its consequences. This strategy strives to protect the public's health by outlining guidelines for prevention and control of HCV infection, providing credible information on hepatitis C to enhance healthy decisions and promoting healthy living through strong partnerships with national, state, and local organizations in both the public and private sectors.

This information sheet discusses physician prescription of sterile syringes to injection drug users (IDUs) who continue to inject, in order to prevent the acquisition and transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases. Physician prescription of sterile syringes will not only help IDUs receive sterile syringes legally, but also can create links to other health care and social services that IDUs would not normally seek out. The example is given of a progam in Rhode Island that is examining the feasiblity of physician prescription in a community setting.