Which health risks are commonly monitored in intravenous drug users?

• A. Skin infections
• B. Endocarditis
• C. HIV
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

In people who inject drugs, care focuses on infections and bloodborne diseases that arise from injecting practices. Skin infections are common because non-sterile technique and contaminated skin or injection equipment can introduce bacteria, leading to cellulitis, abscesses, and wound infections. Endocarditis is a serious risk because bacteria can enter the bloodstream through injections and then attach to heart valves, causing infection that requires prompt recognition and testing. HIV transmission is a well-known risk from sharing needles, so routine screening, counseling, and treatment access are key parts of monitoring this population’s health.

Because each of these areas—skin infections, endocarditis, and HIV—frequently arises in intravenous drug users and is routinely monitored in care settings, the most comprehensive choice that covers all these risks is the correct one.