‘Bluetoothing’ Raises Fresh HIV and Hepatitis Concerns Among Drug Users
A dangerous drug-sharing practice involving the injection of drug-contaminated blood is drawing renewed attention from health workers in parts of Africa and the Pacific, with concerns that it could increase exposure to HIV and viral hepatitis among people who inject drugs.
Known as “bluetoothing” in some communities, the practice involves a person injecting a drug before drawing blood from the same vein and passing it to another user for injection. Similar practices have also been reported under different names, including “flashblooding.” Health experts warn that direct blood-to-blood exposure can facilitate transmission of infections such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.
The practice has received particular attention in Fiji amid a sharp rise in HIV infections linked to injecting drug use. However, recent research suggests that although many drug users are familiar with bluetoothing, relatively few report actually engaging in it, meaning its contribution to the wider HIV outbreak should not be overstated.
Reports and research have also documented similar blood-sharing practices among drug users in parts of Africa, including South Africa and Lesotho. The concerns have increased calls for stronger harm-reduction measures, including access to sterile injecting equipment, HIV testing and treatment, and services that can connect people who use drugs with healthcare and rehabilitation.
