infections from shooting heroin

[sammydaze]

SWIM IVs regularly and recently has laid off the arms due to some problems. Yesterday SWIM noticed the area around his mid-inner arms had turned red and was hot-to-the-touch and moderately painful. This morning these symptoms seemed to SLIGHTLY subside, but still remain. It hasn't gotten worse and appears to possibly be getting better.

SWIM is reluctantly accepting that he's probably picked up some kind of infection from the needle, but is uncertain what it could be, how serious it is, and what (if anything), should be done

Should SWIM head to the ER for an immediate dose of antibiotics? Should he wait it out and let his immune system do its job?

Does anyone have any experience with "infections" like this?

THanks