Cotton Fever is a condition often associated with intravenous drug use, especially with the use of cotton to filter drugs such as heroin. It has been established that this condition originates from endotoxins released by the bacteria Pantoea agglomerans that colonize the cotton plant, not from the cotton itself. Conditions similar to cotton fever were described in the early 1940s among cotton farm workers. The term cotton fever was created in 1975 after the syndrome was identified in intravenous drug users. However, some sources link the symptoms of cotton fever with sepsis caused by unsafe and unhealthy drug injection practices. This is borne out by symptoms of cotton fever which are very common among injecting drug users, who often use cotton as a filter.
Video Cotton fever
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of cotton fever usually appear within 20 minutes after injection, but may occur gradually over several hours. In addition to fever, they may include headaches, malaise, chills, nausea, extreme joint and muscle pain, sudden blunt, sharp, piercing or burning back and kidney, tremor, anxiety, shortness of breath and tachycardia. The fever itself usually reaches 38.5-40.3 Â ° C (101.3-104.5 Â ° F) during full onset. Extreme colds and unbridled chills are common. The symptoms of cotton fever are similar to sepsis and patients can be misdiagnosed when admitted to the hospital.
Maps Cotton fever
Diagnosis
Cotton fever may have similarities with other body infections such as flu; a culture will be needed to determine whether certain patients have been infected by certain bacteria (Pantoea agglomerans) that cause true cotton fever. Confusion continues to exist because the definition of outdated or inaccurate conditions, including the causes, remains widespread, especially among intravenous drug users, who tend to diagnose themselves based on local public knowledge.
Contrary to popular belief, cotton fever does not occur directly from the introduction of cotton fibers or other particulate matter into the bloodstream. This misunderstanding may arise from an increase in the rate of infection because particles can enter bacteria directly into the bloodstream; Cotton fever is just one of them.
Cotton fever has specific symptoms that distinguish it from other diseases: fever, chills, and shortness of breath. In Europe, cotton fever is commonly called "shakes" - a reference to common symptoms of cotton fever. Those suffering from this disease often experience shock or shiver violently.
These symptoms usually occur immediately after the injection, but there are reports of slowness for up to an hour in length.
In most circumstances, cotton fever is quite benign. Although it is possible to turn into something much more serious like pneumonia (the user should pay attention to this, and seek medical attention if the fever is not not lost). But usually, the symptoms of cotton fever should disappear after a few hours or less, eg. symptoms usually occur immediately after the injection, but there are reports of slowness up to an hour in length.
Treatment
Cotton fever rarely requires medical treatment but is sometimes necessary if high fever does not rupture within hours of onset. Usually will heal in one day. Soaking in warm water along with a fever reducer can relieve symptoms. Extreme cases (especially severe or long lasting) can be treated with antibiotics.
See also
- intravenous marijuana syndrome
Note
References
- Shragg, Thomas (July 1978). "" Cigarette fever "on narcotics addicts". Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians . 7 (7): 279-280. doi: 10.1016/S0361-1124 (78) 80339-6.
- Kaushik, K. S.; Kapila, K.; Praharaj, A. K. (March 9, 2011). "Shooting up: interface of microbial infections and drug abuse". Journal of Medical Microbiology . 60 (4): 408-422. doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.027540-0.
External links
- Heroin Helper "Cotton Fever" Article for IV Drug Users
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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