A post under the thread 'Talk'

 

 

made me post this. Most of us think it's (cotton fever) is brought on when tiny pieces of fibre from the cotton we use to filter heroin/dope gets into the syringe..not so. However cotton fibre's can cause a whole slew of other problems for IV drug users.

 

The only thing that's ever help me get rid of it is Aspirin.

 

Here is the real story folks.

 

Cotton fever:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cotton fever is a syndrome that is often associated with intravenous drug use, specifically the use of cotton to filter drugs like heroin. The cause of the condition is believed to be endotoxin shed by the bacteria Enterobacter agglomerans which colonizes cotton plants. A condition very similar to cotton fever was described in the 18th century among cotton-mill workers. The term cotton fever was coined in 1975 after the syndrome was recognized in intravenous drug users.

 

The symptoms of cotton fever resemble those of sepsis and patients may be initially misdiagnosed upon admission to a hospital. However sepsis is a serious medical condition which can lead to death, whereas cotton fever, if left alone, will usually resolve itself spontaneously within 12-24 hours. Symptoms usually appear with 10-20 minutes after injection and in addition to fever may include headaches, malaise, chills, nausea and tachycardia. The fever itself usually reaches 38.5 - 40.3°C (101 - 105°F) within the first hour.

 

Harrison, DW; Walls, RM (1990). ""Cotton fever": a benign febrile syndrome in intravenous drug abusers". Journal of Emergency Medicine 8 (2): 135-9. PMID 2362114.

Category: Diseases

 

 

More:

 

Cotton fever is probably not caused by cotton fibers. It's more likely caused by bacteria that live in the cotton. Cotton can grow a lot of bacteria, especially after it gets wet. Re-using cottons can put bacteria directly into your blood stream. Cotton fever is uncomfortable, but it's usually not serious.

Symptoms may include: 
Chills  
Headaches
 Fever  Nausea
 Hot flashes  Vomiting
 Shaking that you can't control  Shortness of breath

Symptoms usually show up right after injecting, but may take up to an hour. Taking a second hit will not make them go away. Instead, grab a blanket and let the infection take its course.

If symptoms last longer than 3 to 4 hours, or get worse, go to an emergency room. Don't ignore these symptoms, especially if they last. They can mean that you have a very serious infection or even a blood clot that could kill you.Always use a fresh new cotton, a new cooker and a new sterile syringe.
Before you shoot, wash your hands and the injection site with lots of soap and hot water. Then wipe the site with an alcohol pad.

 

Talc Starch & Cotton fibres can cause the below to happen:

 

 

Pulmonary manifestations are extremely common in IVDUs. The lung is the target of numerous infectious and noninfectious insults. The latter includes drug induced bronchospasm, acute pulmonary edema and talc granulomatosis. Heroin overdose may be associated with unilateral or bilateral pulmonary edema and may be accompanied by fever and leukocytosis. Starch can cause mild transient pulmonary granuloma formation , whereas cotton fibers from drug filters and talc can cause permanent intravascular and perivascular granulomas in pulmonary arteries and arterioles.

 

Source:

 

There's even a band named Cotton Fever:

 

Other medical problems assocciated with IV drug use can be found at the link below: