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.

They can provide guidance, treatment, cotton fever symptoms and connect you with resources for ongoing support and recovery. Twenty-four hours following transfer, her leukocytosis and abdominal pain resolved. Within two days, her back pain briskly improved and she was able to ambulate fluidly. As her blood cultures at both hospitals remained negative and she remained afebrile, antibiotic treatment was discontinued.

The endotoxin response is the most widely accepted reason for cotton fever in the medical community, but little research or medical literature exists on what causes it. IE generally occurs when bacteria or fungi enter the bloodstream and spread to the heart. Located in beautiful South Florida, Archstone Behavioral Health offers a serene and comforting environment for your treatment and healing journey. 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 you experience chest pain or a rapid heartbeat, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. • Cotton fever is a benign febrile illness characterized by acute onset fever and leukocytosis, occurring immediately following intravenous drug injection. Cotton fever is an illness that some people get after they inject drugs. Because the drugs enter the bloodstream immediately with injection drug use, they can cause a more intense reaction that’s short-lived.

Treatment

This current case represents a humbling reminder of the significant disparities in medical knowledge and cultural awareness between providers and their patients. Following an extensive inpatient evaluation for an occult infection in a febrile injection drug user, only the serendipitous insight from the patient ultimately led to the diagnosis of cotton fever. The name “cotton fever” comes with the illness’s association with intravenous drug use. People who inject drugs often filter the drugs they are injecting using a homemade cotton filter. They place the cotton filter in the substance and use it as a barrier when drawing the liquid up into the syringe.

During detoxification, the body works to metabolize and eliminate the toxins accumulated from prolonged substance abuse. Substance abuse treatment typically occurs in stages, beginning with an intake assessment. This thorough assessment will help medical and mental health professionals determine what course of treatment would meet each person’s unique needs during recovery. Intravenous (IV) drug use can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening complications. People who abuse IV drugs are at risk of infections, overdose, addiction, and many other severe consequences.

Cotton fever hits a user 20 minutes after injection, with symptoms typically subsiding in 12 hours. In the case of pregnant women who develop cotton fever, the prognosis is not necessarily good. Without medical attention, the strain on the system can prove deadly for mother or child, or both. Discover how inpatient drug rehab in Brooklyn customizes treatment lengths, typically days, to meet individual needs and build a strong foundation for recovery. Discover the costs of drug rehab without insurance, factors influencing expenses, and financial aid options to make recovery accessible. These symptoms require medical attention and can last for several hours or even up to a full day.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

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. Cotton fever, as the name suggests, is a condition in which there’s a fever after IV drug use, where cotton is used to filter the drugs, such as cotton balls or cigarette filters. Exposure to this type of bacteria can be caused by certain dental procedures or oral activity, infection, catheters, needles used for tattoos or piercings, and injection drug use. The only way to be infected is by using unsterile syringes or cottons/filters.

Safe Injection Practices

1. It’s important to note that cotton fever is a self-limiting condition, meaning it typically resolves on its own within 24 to 48 hours without the need for specific treatment.
2. When the cotton is heated to prepare the drug solution, the bacteria and other substances on the cotton can release endotoxins, which are believed to be responsible for the symptoms of cotton fever.
3. The name “cotton fever” originated from the common practice of using small pieces of cotton to filter drugs and remove debris before injection.
4. It typically requires a much smaller dose than if the drug was consumed or inhaled.

Endocarditis can lead to various cardiac complications and may require surgical intervention or long-term antibiotic treatment. In some cases, cotton fever can lead to a rapid heartbeat, also known as tachycardia. This increased heart rate can be accompanied by chest pain or discomfort.

Can you get cotton fever from smoking drugs?

Drug users who have developed cotton fever describe it as one of the worst experiences they’ve ever had. When the body is fighting desperately to handle the cotton fever, it may not be able to handle the pregnancy as usual. The presence of an infection can throw anyone’s system into crisis and instigate the death of either one or both. Cotton fever caused by bacteria from the cotton plant may be more problematic in preventing. Any method to sterilize cotton that may contain the bacteria would likely turn the cotton toxic and possibly deadly in another manner. Toxins used to sterilize cotton may also be more difficult to treat and the damage done may be impossible to treat.