What is the difference between injection and infusion?
People usually get intimidated every time that they hear the words injection and infusion. Some may find it scary, particularly to people who are afraid of needles, hospitals, and also hate medication altogether no matter what form. Frequently too, with most people, it is like our minds are programmed to think of pain or even a bit of discomfort upon hearing these words. The terms injection and infusion are commonly heard or seen on a medical facility, IV clinics, or medical spa.
An injection is something that most people know, while infusion — not really. While most understand the difference between these two, there are still a few who still think that these two words are the same. What is the difference between injection and infusion, really?
People with no medical background are not familiar with the definition of these two terminologies, let alone know the difference between them. An injection is something that is administered using a needle and a syringe just under the skin, targetting either the dermis, the tissue, or the muscle. If you ever had a flu shot or cervical vaccine or maybe a simple tooth extraction, then you would have an idea.
On the other hand, infusion also uses a needle but is administered through an IV line and is commonly used for therapeutic purposes. If you have ever visited someone who is confined in a hospital, they usually have IV fluids connected on their hands, and this is used to administer the solution or medication directly into the bloodstream. Unlike injections, infusions might take a couple of minutes or sometimes hours, depending on the solution. Infusion is commonly used to get vitamins in the bloodstream easily than through the digestive tract.
Today, injections and infusions are used not only to cure medical illnesses but also for aesthetic purposes. To better understand the difference between injection and infusion and the benefits of the procedures done with the use of either of these two, intensive research may be helpful. Nowadays, most clinics and health facilities can provide a more thorough explanation of how procedures are done, the duration of the process, the side effects, and downtime if there are any.
What is an “Injection”?
An injection is a method of administering drugs or medication using a needle and syringe. This is quite common for people because the same process is used for vaccination like flu shots. This method is one of the ways used to administer anesthesia for intrusive procedures like childbirth and non-intrusive process such as dental extractions, Botox, dermal fillers, etc. There are different injection types, but the three most common are intradermal injection, subcutaneous injection, and intramuscular injection.
- Intradermal Injection – this type of injection is typically used for an allergy test, skin test, sensitivity test, and local anesthesia test. The medication is injected just beneath the skin and is widely used for diagnostic purposes. The injection is given at a 5 to 15-degree angle, and the absorption time is the longest for this method.
- Subcutaneous Injection – this method is used to administer the medication to the tissues that are in the middle of the skin and the muscle. This is typically used for medications like Insulin and vaccines like varicella and MMR. The absorption time for subcutaneous injection is slower than intramuscular but faster than intradermal.
- Intramuscular Injection – This method has the fastest absorption time since it is injected directly into the muscle and is immediately absorbed by blood vessels. This is commonly used for medications that need to take immediate effects like antibiotics, haloperidol, and morphine. Some vaccines like influenza vaccine and Hepa-A vaccine is usually administered this way.
Who can administer an injection?
Only the people who have received education and training and are certified can administer an injection. The kind and volume of medication, however, should be provided by a licensed physician.
What is an “Infusion”?
Infusion in medical terms is to introduce new liquid through the vein into the bloodstream by administering it through an intravenous line (IV line) for therapeutic purposes. Different kinds of medication can be used for infusion, and with the use of infusion, treatments are fast and strong. This is typically used for chemotherapy, chronic pain, antibiotics, hydration, boosting immunity, glutathione, etc. This is administered by a needle connected through an IV line to the IV bag, and it is so uncomfortable to move around while you are connected to an IV bag, and depending on the medication that is being administered, it could take minutes or hours to finish. Infusion is just like an IV drip; the only difference is that you don’t need to stay at a hospital for a couple of days. Infusions are offered by IV clinics and medical spas, and after the infusion, you can walk right out. You can visit any IV clinics to have an infusion scheduled.
Here are the different types of infusion:
- Antibiotics – Severe bacterial infections are typically resistant to oral medications, so intravenous antibiotics are infused in the patient’s bloodstream for better and faster treatment.
- Biologics – Protein-based drug found on living things that help in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
- Chemotherapy – specific medication to kill cancer cells in any area of the body. During chemotherapy, antibiotics and pain killers are sometimes infused to help cure cancer.
- Fluids – Liquid that is intended to replace water, sugar, and salt if you can’t eat or drink normally, it is also known as IV fluids that are used for operations, including pre-operation and post-operation.
- Intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) – This is a treatment for people that have weak immune systems, those that need to boost their immune system to fight diseases. This is commonly used to help people with immune deficiency.
- Pain Management – Chronic pains usually restrict normal movements, cause discomfort, and sometimes keep you even from walking. There are different reasons why this happens, and there are also numerous medications that can be used, such as morphine, which is best if infused for faster relief.
- Hemophilia factor therapy – Concentrated clotting factor is infused to help replace the missing blood clotting factors and have normal blood clotting.
- Parenteral and enteral nutrition – Somehow similar to fluid infusion, the goal of this method is to provide nutrition to the body if the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is not functional. This is one of the methods used to rehabilitate people who suffered from anorexia.
Who can administer an infusion?
Licensed doctors and nurses can administer an infusion; however, a nurse should have specialized and is certified to do infusions of IV medications before being allowed to do so. Prescriptions are provided by doctors, and since some people opt to have it done at home, a nurse is sent to their home to administer the medication.
Bottom Line:
Most people nowadays will prefer to go to an IV clinic or medical spa instead of going to a hospital for some reason, including trying to avoid a crowd due to the global pandemic Covid-19. Doing so is not just a good choice but a reasonable one. There are a lot of IV clinics/medical spas sprouting in different places. Still, it will always be a plus if they have a reputable doctor that leads them and oversees everything, ensuring safety and satisfaction. Twelve years of providing quality and safety procedures and have been awarded more than twenty times; there’s no reason not to visit FORM Medical Spa Salt Lake City, UT. Virtual consultation is now available to address your concerns in the convenience of your homes.
