Soft tissue infections among injecting drug users are caused by poor injection site hygiene, syringe reuse, intramuscular or subcutaneous routes of injection, and contaminated drugs.⁽¹⁾

Soft tissue infections can be serious.  In a study of San Francisco General Hospital, people admitted for soft tissue injuries stayed in the hospital an average of 3.2 days.⁽¹⁾

Soft tissue infections can be expensive.  In 1999-2000, San Francisco General Hospital had inpatient charges of $9.9 million involving 1326 admissions for soft tissue infections. Because most patients were uninsured, San Francisco county was responsible for over half the inpatient charges.⁽¹⁾