A chilling new trend, known as 'bluetoothing', is spreading like wildfire and causing a surge in HIV diagnoses. This dangerous practice involves drug users injecting themselves with the blood of others, hoping to share in their high. But here's where it gets controversial: this method is not only ineffective, but it's also a perfect recipe for spreading deadly diseases like HIV.
The practice has already taken a devastating toll in Fiji, where HIV cases have skyrocketed by 11 times in just a decade. In South Africa, it's estimated that around 18% of drug users engage in this risky behavior, further contributing to the high HIV rates among this population. With concerns mounting, experts are warning that this trend could make its way to the US, where HIV diagnoses have been on a downward trend.
Dr. Brian Zanoni, a drugs expert at Emory University, emphasizes the dangers of bluetoothing, especially in areas of severe poverty. 'It's a cheap way to get high, but with severe consequences,' he warns. 'You're essentially getting two doses for the price of one.'
The US drug epidemic, while showing signs of slowing down, still poses a significant risk. Estimates suggest that nearly 17% of Americans aged 12 and older have used illicit drugs in the past month, and around 1.13 million are living with HIV. Overdose fatalities have decreased by nearly 24% in the past year, but the potential for new HIV cases remains a concern.
And this is the part most people miss: bluetoothing often results in a diminished high, which may be why it hasn't gained widespread popularity. It's unclear how much of an effect the infused blood has, and some experts believe it could be nothing more than a placebo. Catharine Cook, executive director of Harm Reduction International, calls it 'the perfect way of spreading HIV.' She adds, 'It's a wake-up call for health systems and governments. The efficiency of transmission can lead to a massive spike in infections.'
In Fiji, the impact of bluetoothing is evident. In 2014, the country had fewer than 500 HIV cases, but by 2024, this number had surged to approximately 5,900. In the same year, the nation recorded 1,583 new HIV cases, a 13-fold increase over its usual five-year average. Many of these new cases were linked to shared needles.
Kalesi Volatabu, executive director of Drug Free Fiji, shared a firsthand account of witnessing bluetoothing. 'I saw the needle with the blood, right there in front of me,' she said. 'A young woman had already taken the shot and was taking out the blood, and other girls, other adults, were lining up to use the same needle.'
In the US, it's estimated that around 33.5% of drug users share needles, which also poses a risk of HIV transmission. Experts warn that HIV, along with other diseases like hepatitis, can be transmitted through shared needles, putting users at risk.
While HIV rates in the US have generally declined since 2017, disruptions in care due to the Covid pandemic in 2020 may have led to missed cases, resulting in a slight increase in new diagnoses. According to the CDC, there were 39,201 new HIV diagnoses in the US and its associated territories in 2023, an increase from 37,721 in 2022. Of these cases, 518 were associated with intravenous drug use.
Despite the risks, experts emphasize that HIV is no longer a death sentence. There are drugs available that can slow the virus's replication, allowing infected individuals to live full and normal lives. However, the practice of bluetoothing, first recorded in Tanzania around 2010, continues to spread, with cases reported in various countries, including Lesotho, Pakistan, and Zanzibar, where HIV rates are up to 30 times higher than on the mainland.
So, what do you think? Is this a practice that could gain traction in the US, or is it already happening under the radar? Share your thoughts and let's discuss this alarming trend and its potential impact on public health.
