For anyone who injects, looking after your veins and catching infections early prevents some of the most serious and avoidable harms. Pair this with the Safer Injection guide — sterile technique is the first line of defence.
Protect your veins
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1
Rotate injection sites Give each site time to heal. Always reusing one spot causes scarring, collapsed veins, and infection.
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2
Inject with the blood flow Point toward the heart, use the smallest needle that works, and release the tie before you inject.
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3
Use a fresh, sharp needle every time Reused needles are blunt and tear veins. New needles are free from needle/syringe programs.
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4
Care for the site after Apply gentle pressure (don't rub), keep it clean, and let it heal.
Seek care now if you see these Spreading redness or red streaks, swelling that gets worse, a hard or hot lump, pus, fever, or feeling generally unwell can mean an abscess, cellulitis, or endocarditis. These can become life-threatening — get medical care early and without shame.
Know the infections
An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that may need draining. Cellulitis is a spreading skin infection. Endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves — it can start with just fever and fatigue, so persistent flu-like illness after injecting deserves urgent medical attention.
✓ Do
- Rotate sites and use a new needle each time.
- Clean the site before and care for it after.
- Get checked early for any sign of infection.
✕ Don't
- Don't inject into swollen, infected, or painful sites, the neck, or the groin.
- Don't pick or squeeze an abscess yourself.
- Don't wait out a fever after injecting — get it checked.