Speaker

Dr. John Keegan

This talk explores the critical overlap between addiction medicine and infectious disease, focusing on the complications arising from injection drug use. It highlights how behaviors associated with this form of substance use significantly increase the risk of acquiring and transmitting infections, such as HIV, hepatitis C, and skin and soft tissue infections. The presentation delves into the mechanisms of these infections, prevention strategies, and the importance of integrated care approaches that combine treatment for addiction and associated infectious diseases. By examining case studies and current research, the talk emphasizes the need for healthcare systems to adapt and address these intertwined health crises comprehensively. The ultimate goal is to improve patient outcomes through collaborative healthcare strategies that not only treat the addiction but also manage and prevent the resultant infectious complications.