Süstimist

Süstimist, the Estonian term for injection, is the act of delivering a liquid substance into the body using a needle and syringe. It is a common route for administering medicines, vaccines, and research compounds, and is used in human and veterinary medicine as well as laboratory settings.

Different routes of süstimist include intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC), intravenous (IV), and intradermal (ID). IM injections deliver into muscle tissue and are used for many vaccines and some medications. SC injections deliver into the fatty tissue under the skin, often for insulin or certain hormones. IV injections deliver directly into a vein, allowing rapid effect or hydration, while ID injections place the substance into the dermal layer of the skin, used in allergy testing and some vaccines.

In medical practice, süstimist is performed by trained personnel under aseptic conditions. Single-use, sterile syringes and needles are standard, and sharps disposal is required. Medicines must be prepared and stored according to safety guidelines, and patients are monitored for adverse reactions, such as pain or swelling at the injection site, infection, or allergic responses. Proper technique and post-injection care help minimize risks.

The practice has a long history dating to the development of the syringe in the 17th to 19th centuries and is now governed by pharmacological and health-safety regulations. In Estonian healthcare, the term süstimist encompasses the procedure and its variants and is used across clinical, medicinal, and veterinary contexts.