47 Dead, 828 Test Positive: Injectable Drug Use Fuels HIV Outbreak Among Tripura Students

New Delhi: Tripura is grappling with a severe HIV outbreak, with 47 students losing their lives from the disease and 828 others infected, according to the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS). This information was revealed during a media workshop hosted by the Tripura Journalist Union, Web Media Forum, and TSACS, where senior officials discussed the gravity of the crisis.

Till now, 828 students have been diagnosed with HIV. The crisis spans 220 schools and 24 colleges and universities in the state, largely driven by injectable drug use among students.

Officials indicated that the number of new cases is rising, with five to seven new infections being detected every 24 hours.  

Drug abuse among students

The Joint Director of TSACS provided a statistical overview during the workshop, detailing data collected from 164 health facilities across the state. As of May 2024, Tripura's ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) centers have documented 8,729 individuals living with HIV, including 5,674 who are still alive—4,570 males, 1,103 females, and one transgender person.

The rise in HIV cases has been attributed to drug abuse among students, many of whom come from affluent families with employed parents. TSACS officials noted that these families frequently discover the problem only after their children have already been impacted by drug use.  

Efforts are being ramped up to control the spread of HIV and support those affected across the state.

Needle Sharing and HIV Transmission

Needle sharing plays a crucial role in the spread of HIV. The virus is frequently transmitted when individuals use needles, syringes, or drug-use tools that have been previously used by someone infected with HIV. As reported by WebMD, injecting drugs, steroids, or other substances with another person's needle can introduce their blood into your system. Since HIV is transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids, such direct contact greatly heightens the risk of infection.

How does Needle Sharing expose one to HIV?  

Needle sharing increases the risk of HIV transmission due to the following reasons:

Direct Blood-to-Blood Contact: When needles or syringes are shared, blood from one person can be transferred to another. If the needle is contaminated with HIV-positive blood, the virus can directly enter the bloodstream of the next person who uses it.

High Concentration of HIV: Blood carries a high concentration of HIV. Even a small amount of infected blood left in a needle or syringe can be enough to transmit the virus to another person.

Inadequate Sterilization: Reusing or sharing needles often involves inadequate sterilization practices. If a needle is not properly cleaned or if it is reused multiple times, there is a higher risk of carrying HIV and other infections.

Increased Risk of Other Infections: Shared needles can also transmit other bloodborne pathogens, such as hepatitis B and C, which can further compromise the immune system and increase vulnerability to HIV.

Compromised Injection Sites: Frequent needle sharing can lead to damage or infection at injection sites, creating open wounds or sores that provide an additional route for HIV and other infections to enter the body.