Dangerous Drug-Injection Practice Linked to HIV Spread
Health officials are tracking 'bluetoothing,' an unsafe injection practice that significantly increases the risk of blood-borne viral transmission.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Substance Abuse
Health authorities have identified an emerging, high-risk practice known as bluetoothing, or flashblooding, among intravenous drug users. The process, which involves injecting blood from one person into another, has been reported in nations including Fiji, South Africa, and Pakistan, raising concerns over the transmission of HIV and hepatitis.
Why it matters
The practice creates a severe pathway for blood-borne diseases, particularly where poverty and restrictive needle policies limit access to sterile equipment. Addressing these barriers is critical to slowing the rapid rise of HIV infections observed in some regions.
A study of 45 opioid users in Durban found 18 percent practiced blood injection and 43 percent shared needles, with one-third of the cohort living with HIV. While preliminary assessments in Fiji indicate the practice may not yet be widespread, all interviewed users reported a lack of sterile supplies.
The players
World Health Organization
An international agency responsible for coordinating global health efforts and tracking infectious disease outbreaks.
United Nations Development Programme
A global organization that works to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities, often partnering on health infrastructure assessments.
The details
Bluetoothing occurs when individuals pool resources for drugs that one person injects first, after which others inject that person's residual blood. This process often involves the direct reuse of syringes because users lack access to sterile, single-use equipment. When needles are shared among groups where blood is exchanged, the risk of transmitting HIV or hepatitis increases exponentially.
Timeline
The practice was first described in Tanzania in 2006.
Fiji reported fewer than 500 people living with HIV in 2014.
The number of people living with HIV in Fiji reached nearly 6,000 by 2024.
The WHO and UNDP released a rapid assessment on the situation in Fiji in September 2026.
Health Landscape
This development highlights a critical, often overlooked variable in the global effort to curb blood-borne pathogens. It extends the work of the WHO and UNDP global HIV surveillance and assessment protocols by identifying a specific, high-risk behavior that complicates traditional harm-reduction strategies.
This practice underscores the vital importance of never sharing needles or syringes, as doing so introduces an immediate risk of HIV and hepatitis infection. If you or someone you know is struggling with injection drug use, discuss safe access to sterile equipment and medical testing with a healthcare provider.
The takeaway
Bluetoothing is a dangerous behavior that significantly amplifies the risk of life-altering viral infections. Because blood sharing and needle reuse are high-risk indicators for HIV transmission, individuals should prioritize accessing harm-reduction services and regular testing through a physician.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving risks in drug-related health, explore the Substance Abuse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Modern Ghana Media Communication Ltd..
