Antibiotics are only used if lab tests (such as blood cultures) indicate a serious bacterial infection. Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions. Intravenous drugs, or IV drugs, are drugs that are injected into a vein instead of ingested, snorted, or smoked.

• Cotton fever is not an illness but a byproduct of using used or unsterile cotton, filters, and syringes.
• In many cases, cotton fever is a self-limited condition that requires supportive care and isn’t dangerous, but rare complications can occur.
• Symptoms of cotton fever begin 15–30 minutes following injection and normally last six to twelve hours, but they can extend for hours.4  Symptoms usually resolve on their own with no intervention.
• Symptoms begin shortly after injecting drugs and often subside within 12 hours, with severe cases lasting up to 24 hours.

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Treatment revolves around supportive care, aiming to minimize your symptoms and help you feel better faster. In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed, and fluids can be administered if dehydration occurs. Cotton fever is a benign syndrome cotton fever symptoms reasonably common among people who inject drugs. It happens when bacteria from reused cotton or needles are injected into the body.

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Whether from sepsis or cotton plant-born bacteria, the presence of such symptoms demands immediate medical attention. Another cause of Cotton Fever is an inflammatory infection in the blood, also known as sepsis. This can happen when an intravenous drug user is using an unclean syringe, something intended for a single use. If the needle is used repeatedly then mold and other bacteria can grow increasing the likelihood of sepsis and/or cotton fever.

• Otherwise, in this article, we’ll help you understand more about this illness and its symptoms, what causes it, and how you can prevent it.
• This relatively minor side effect typically resolves itself and does not cause any lasting side effects.
• However, if they’re not there yet, looking for needle exchange programs that provide access to clean syringes and materials can reduce the risk of cotton fever and other bloodborne illnesses.
• Twenty-four hours following transfer, her leukocytosis and abdominal pain resolved.
• Cotton fever is a benign, self-limited febrile syndrome characterized by fevers, leukocytosis, myalgias, nausea and vomiting, occurring in injection drug users who filter their drug suspensions through cotton balls.

A more modern theory—the endotoxin theory—cites that a bacteria called pantoea agglomerans (formerly Enterobacter agglomerans) lives on the cotton plant. Cotton fever is a feverish response that can occur when someone filters a drug through a cotton ball before injecting it into a vein (intravenous, or IV, injection). Cotton fever typically lasts between 6 to 24 hours, with the most intense symptoms occurring within the first few hours after injection. In most cases, the body naturally fights off the reaction, and symptoms gradually subside within a day. However, some individuals may experience lingering fatigue or mild discomfort for up to 48 hours.

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Symptoms of cotton fever begin 15–30 minutes following injection and normally last six to twelve hours, but they can extend for hours.4  Symptoms usually resolve on their own with no intervention. The drugs all enter the bloodstream at once, bringing an intense high that’s often short-lived. The rapid and intense effects can make it more appealing to binge the drug, leading to repeated use and rapid dependence. Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription stimulants, and opioids are the most common IV drugs.

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Learn more about cotton fever among intravenous drug users, the symptoms and causes, and how it can be treated. While cotton fever is only a temporarily uncomfortable complication of IV substance use, there are many more serious and potentially fatal conditions that IV drug use can cause. Using heroin intravenously, for example, shortens your life byover 18 years on average. Contaminated needles can also lead to bloodborne diseases, like HIV or hepatitis. Cotton fever can occur after injecting an intravenous (IV) drug that has been filtered with cotton.

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Cotton fever, whichever the origin of the infection, a high fever during the earlier stages of pregnancy can lead to miscarriage. The baby needs a stable and healthy environment, which includes temperature, hydration, and nutrients. Obviously, detox and a drug rehab program are the best and only long-term solutions to any and every aspect of drug use-related problems. You, nor your loved one, are under any obligation to commit to a Treatment X treatment program when calling the helpline. • Cotton fever is a diagnosis of exclusion, and likely has a higher prevalence than previously thought. We’ll welcome you to our campus and start laying the groundwork for a successful, long-term recovery.

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Additionally, some insurance plans may require prior authorization or limit the amount of treatment covered. Therefore, it’s important to understand your insurance coverage before beginning treatment. Archstone Behavioral Health Addiction Treatment Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive and effective residential treatment for individuals seeking recovery from addiction.

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 is a benign febrile illness characterized by acute onset fever and leukocytosis, occurring immediately following intravenous drug injection. This is why the medical team may start antibiotics immediately, just in case your body is fighting an infection. If the medical team suspects you have sepsis, they will also have you undergo numerous diagnostic tests to determine how best to treat you. However, if you do not have sepsis and suffer from cotton fever, your symptoms will resolve quickly in hours, whereas it will take longer to recover from sepsis.

We recognize the profound significance of residential treatment in the journey toward long-term sobriety and overall well-being. That is why our detox facilities in Florida offer a supportive and structured environment where you will receive the necessary care, therapy, and resources to address the complexities of addiction. Reach out to learn more about the various aspects of our residential treatment program and understand the importance of this modality in promoting lasting recovery and a brighter future.

Cotton fever can be unpleasant and uncomfortable but is not usually dangerous. The symptoms often subside on their own within a short period, but you may require supportive care to avoid any issues with dehydration or pain. Some people have mild to moderate cotton fever symptoms that can be managed at home with fluids and an anti-inflammatory medication like Tylenol (acetaminophen). The symptoms of cotton fever usually occur immediately after using an IV drug filtered with cotton. Doctors usually look for other possible causes before determining that the condition is cotton fever (diagnosis of exclusion).

Some drugs have intense withdrawal syndromes with life-threatening symptoms, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines. Medical detox may be necessary to get through withdrawal as safely and comfortably as possible. 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.