20 Nov What Is Cotton Fever? Symptoms, Treatment, & Prevention
Though benign febrile syndrome is a self-limiting illness, other complications can arise that are more severe, including addiction. Cotton particles in the bloodstream cause chemical reactions, just like a medication. This can lead to fever, abdominal pain, and other symptoms, such as a general feeling of illness. Another possible cause is an endotoxin response from the Enterobacter agglomerans bacteria that live in cotton.2 It’s a mild toxin that can be picked up in the drug, causing a reaction.
Though it usually resolves on its own in a couple of days, cotton fever sends some people to the emergency department out of fear that it’s a more serious illness. Filtration helps prevent particles that don’t dissolve from entering the bloodstream. But using a cotton ball as a filter can cause cotton fibers to get into your blood.
Use Sterile, Single-Use Filters
When it comes to cotton fever, there are potential health risks and long-term effects that individuals should be aware of. Understanding these risks is crucial for taking appropriate measures to prevent and address this condition. The treatment for cotton fever is usually supportive care that includes helping relieve the flu-like symptoms, or helping a person feel comfortable while symptoms of cotton fever persist. The doctor providing the care will also be able to provide recommendations for drug detox and substance abuse treatment options to help prevent other negative side effects of long-term IV drug abuse.
What Is an Intravenous Drug?
An intravenous drug or IV drug is any drug that is injected directly into a vein. IV drugsact much fasterthan drugs consumed any other way, since they enter the bloodstream directly. In this case, a much smaller dose is needed than if the drug was used another way. While the endotoxin response is becoming a commonly accepted explanation of cotton fever, there is little research into what causes it because it is somewhat uncommon and not particularly dangerous. To learn more about our substance abuse treatment programs or to get started with a confidential, risk-free assessment, please contact us today.
Symptoms tend to subside independently, but you may require supportive care to manage intense symptoms and monitor your vital signs like blood pressure and temperature. Some people can manage the symptoms independently at home with fluids, a warm bath, and an anti-inflammatory medication like Tylenol. There can be rare complications with this condition, such as infective endocarditis. Though cotton fever is uncomfortable, it doesn’t usually have dangerous symptoms or complications. The symptoms usually subside within a half day or day, but supportive care may be necessary to reduce discomfort.
According to this theory, cotton fever is believed to be caused by bacteria found in cotton plants, such as pantoea agglomerans, formerly known as enterobacter agglomerans (e. agglomerans). Many drug users who have had cotton fever say it’s one of the worst things they’ve ever experienced. So, if you do suspect that you have cotton fever, it’s important to get emergency medical care right away. The faster you get medical care for cotton fever, the better the prognosis will be. Usually, cotton fever is not life-threatening but it’s still very uncomfortable and requires medical attention. There is no cure for the condition, so any treatment you receive will be to help you cope with the symptoms.
To prevent cotton fever and infective endocarditis, you should only use a clean needle one time to inject drugs. However, the best way to prevent cotton fever is to stop injecting drugs altogether. This often requires getting professional treatment for a substance use disorder. Harm reduction methods include providing PWID proper membrane filters to filter drugs safely and clean syringes so they are not reused, decreasing one’s risk for infection. “Cotton fever,” or benign febrile syndrome, is a condition that occurs among people misusing intravenous (IV) drugs that have a cotton filter. Though it can appear to cause signs of infection, such as a high fever, fast heart rate, and abdominal pain, it tends to go away on its own and isn’t considered dangerous.
At our alcohol and drug treatment center, programs and methods are customizable cotton fever symptoms to suit the individual and their unique needs. What you can expect when attending treatment here is a highly personalized approach to care that will have a significant and lasting impact on you or your loved one’s recovery. The duration can vary from person to person and depends on various factors, including the individual’s overall health, the severity of symptoms, and whether any complications develop. The first thing we must understand about cotton fever is its inability to be passed from person to person. Cotton fever is not an illness but a byproduct of using used or unsterile cotton, filters, and syringes.
Getting Addiction Treatment Help
Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs. Sharing needles can spread diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C. Even reusing your own needles can cause bacteria to get into your bloodstream, raising health risks. Cotton fever generally comes on quickly—within 20 minutes of drug injection using a cotton filter.
Despite its name, cotton fever isn’t caused by cotton itself but is linked to the use of cotton filters when preparing injectable drugs. Understanding what cotton fever is, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options can help individuals manage this condition effectively and avoid unnecessary panic. In this post, we’ll break down what cotton fever is, how it happens, and the best ways to treat it. While using clean equipment can reduce your risk of getting cotton fever, it is still possible to contract the bacteria that causes it. It’s important to always use new cotton balls or filters and sterile equipment when injecting drugs.
If someone enters a medical facility or emergency department with symptoms of cotton fever, healthcare providers may perform a physical assessment and labs for diagnostic purposes. Rehab insurance is a type of health insurance that covers the cost of addiction treatment, including inpatient and outpatient rehab programs, counseling sessions, and medication-assisted treatment. Most insurance providers offer some form of rehab insurance, either as part of their standard coverage or as an add-on policy. Self-care, including rest, is generally enough to manage the discomfort of cotton fever.
Can I get cotton fever from smoking drugs?
- If symptoms last longer than 12 hours, you must test for other conditions that can cause fever, including infections and illnesses.
- Cotton fever is a temporary health condition that is seen among people who use cotton as a filter before injecting their intravenous drugs.
- This case should again remind us to never underestimate the potential diagnostic and therapeutic insights that are housed in our patients’ awareness—if we only think to ask.
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By educating others about cotton fever, you can help increase awareness and reduce the likelihood of individuals experiencing this condition. Cotton fever is a condition that can be difficult to recognize, as its symptoms may resemble those of other illnesses. However, being aware of the distinguishing factors and understanding how it is diagnosed can help in identifying cotton fever accurately. If cotton fever is suspected, seeking prompt medical assistance is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.
When an intravenous (IV) injection drug user prepares their drug of choice, they may have to filter the substance before they fill the syringe with it. Cotton fever is a term that may be unfamiliar to many, but for individuals who use intravenous drugs (drugs injected directly into the bloodstream), it’s a well-known and dreaded condition. Often characterized by a sudden onset of fever, chills, body aches, and flu-like symptoms, cotton fever can be alarming. While the symptoms can be intense, they usually resolve on their own within 24 hours.
What Happens During Detox
- Cotton fever is not generally believed to be life-threatening, unlike some other known consequences of IV drug use, such as an accidental overdose or other serious infections.
- When drug users filter their substances through cotton before injection, trace amounts of bacteria or endotoxins may enter the bloodstream, leading to an immune system response that mimics an infection.
- Generally, however, this condition is self-diagnosed by people who use injectable drugs.
- Symptoms begin 15–30 minutes following injection, and are often accompanied by shortness of breath, chills, headache, myalgia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and tachycardia 1.
- They may be able to provide information on where to access these resources or connect you with local programs.
Our approach to treatment stands out from typical detox programs Florida centers provide. We offer a full continuum of care on our campus – from admissions to discharge, guiding and supporting you every step. If symptoms last longer than 12 hours, you must test for other conditions that can cause fever, including infections and illnesses. Home remedies focused on treating the fever include increasing fluid intake and taking over-the-counter medications that reduce fever.
These drugs have a faster onset of effects than other uses because they go directly into the bloodstream. It typically requires a much smaller dose than if the drug was consumed or inhaled. Opioid detox is a challenging but manageable process that involves mental and physical preparation, enduring difficult withdrawal symptoms, gradual recovery, and post-detox strategies to ensure long-term success. Detoxing from opioids at home can offer privacy and comfort but carries serious risks, so it’s essential to consult a medical professional and have a solid support system in place for safety and success.
The drugs most often used in IV are heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, prescription stimulants, and prescription opioids. This condition typically has a sudden onset after using an IV drug filtered with cotton. If there are no other possible causes, such as infectious diseases, it is a diagnosis of exclusion. Key factors like personalized treatment, behavioral therapies, strong support systems, co-occurring disorder care, and aftercare programs significantly impact alcohol rehab success rates. Understanding drug rehab success relies on personalized treatment plans, evidence-based therapies, peer support, co-occurring disorder care, and robust aftercare for lasting recovery. It includes structured therapy, pain management, and aftercare planning to support a successful recovery.
Cotton fever is a self-limiting condition, meaning it resolves on its own without specific treatment. It can occur after injecting a variety of substances, including heroin, methamphetamine, and prescription opioids. The exact mechanisms behind the development of cotton fever are not fully understood, and research on the topic is limited. However, it is widely speculated that the bacteria or endotoxins present in the cotton filter are responsible for initiating the immune response. If you or someone you know is injecting drugs that they have developed an addiction to, it’s important to know that you have options, including a drug rehab program.