For 20 years, syringe disinfection has been a part of HIV prevention efforts for injection drug users (IDUs). Questions about it persist, however, because of limited scientific studies, varying recommendations on the right way to disinfect, and evidence suggesting that IDUs do not use this approach very much. This fact sheet presents basic information on disinfection, especially bleach disinfection. The central message is that disinfection is a back-up prevention strategy if the user cannot stop injecting; does not have a new, sterile syringe; and is about to inject with a syringe that has been used before.

CDC-INFO Pub ID 998055

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection