Hepatitis C cluster linked to New Taipei clinic raises questions about ‘nutrition injections’

An acute hepatitis C cluster at a clinic in New Taipei has drawn attention to the risks of so-called nutrition injections. Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control said an epidemiological investigation found that Antai Songhe Clinic in Banqiao had violated injection-safety guidelines and that inadequate infection control led to the cluster.

The case has also prompted scrutiny of why some patients seek intravenous infusions when they feel tired or unwell. Peng-Chih Liu, deputy medical director of Shin Kong Hospital’s Department of Health Management, said some people assume their bodies are not absorbing nutrients properly and turn to injections to replace what they believe they lack.

The term “nutrition injection” covers a broad range of products. They may contain familiar supplements such as B vitamins or vitamin C, as well as protein, trace elements, combinations of vitamins or substances intended to promote metabolism. Some functional-medicine clinics and medical-aesthetic providers also offer infusions containing vitamin C, whitening ingredients or liver-detox products.

Liu said doctors no longer generally encourage injections as a way to supplement nutrition. Intravenous treatment can be necessary for patients who cannot absorb enough nutrients, lack substantial nutrition or have poor dental health. But he said relatively few people fall into those categories, and nutrients obtained through eating and intestinal absorption are more complete.

He also warned that patients may not receive a full assessment before treatment. Blood and urine tests do not necessarily show whether someone has adequate nutritional stores or truly needs supplementation. Improper injections can cause acute problems, particularly in people with other chronic illnesses. Because every invasive treatment carries an infection risk, Liu advised people who can chew, swallow and digest normally to address ongoing fatigue or discomfort through a balanced diet, adequate exercise and regular sleep.