Drugs such as heroin, morphine, cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine and certain prescription drugs are injected intravenously and less often via intramuscular or subcutaneous methods. Injection introduces a drug into the bloodstream via a hollow hypodermic needle and a syringe, which breaks the skin. Injection site abscess is one of many health repercussions associated with illicit intravenous drug use or misuse of prescription drugs. A cutaneous abscess is a collection of pus in a confined tissue space, usually caused by a bacterial infection. When abscesses are near the skin, symptoms include local pain, tenderness, warmth and swelling. When they are deep, additional symptoms occur including fever, anorexia, weight loss and fatigue. Drug-Related Skin Infections Abscessed infections are associated with a lack of proper hygiene and sterile technique used during the injection process. Skin infections are the leading cause of hospitalization among intravenous drug users. Injection-related wounds, including abscesses and chronic wounds are significant causes of morbidity among this group. Researchers theorize injection-related wounds may be markers for greater addiction-related disease severity and poorer overall health status. In the 1990s, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and streptococcal species were the most commonly identified microorganisms associated with abscesses in injection drug users. More recently, the...