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My friend abused cocaine and became sick. What to do now?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My friend abused weed, alcohol and cocaine in a span of 20 days. Last two days he had cocaine twice, even though that was the first time and did not sleep. Then, he travelled and became sick with 40°C, cough, swollen tonsils and right knee numbness. His blood test result showed hemoglobin at 13.4 g/dL and WBC 11300 cells per microliter with leukocyte 16 %. This happened before a month and he is still coughing. He just had medicine to reduce body temperature. Please help.

Answered by Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa is an Internal Medicine Specialist. She can diagnose and manage complex and multisystem disease. She can treat chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders. She can provide preventive care and routine health assessments. She can help in the management of infections and autoimmune diseases. She helps in the interpretation of diagnostic tests and imaging reports. She can do medication management and adjustment for long-term therapies.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I am very much concerned about acquiring diseases that could be transmitted through contaminated needles namely HIV, hepatitis B and C. He may be exposed to EBV infection (Epstein-Barr virus) or just acute tonsillitis due to strep throat or other viral infection (Influenza). Remember, if he has not done his drugs then he may be undergoing acute withdrawal. I would highly suggest that you take him to a doctor and get a HIV RNA by PCR (not the antibody testing), monospot test, throat swab and culture, and hepatitis C RNA by PCR. I suggest tablet Ibuprofen or Diclofenac sodium every 8 hours for fever. Consult his specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and take the medicine with consent. If he is unable to eat or drink, jittery, confused, having a high heart rate and low blood pressure then he should be seen in the emergency room.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At May 31, 2016
Reviewed At June 30, 2023

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa is an Internal Medicine Specialist. She can diagnose and manage complex and multisystem disease. She can treat chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders. She can provide preventive care and routine health assessments. She can help in the management of infections and autoimmune diseases. She helps in the interpretation of diagnostic tests and imaging reports. She can do medication management and adjustment for long-term therapies.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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This tool is for awareness only and does not diagnose or treat substance use disorders. If you are struggling with cocaine use, contact SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) or speak with a healthcare provider. This is not a substitute for professional medical or addiction treatment.

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa is an Internal Medicine Specialist. She can diagnose and manage complex and multisystem disease. She can treat chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders. She can provide preventive care and routine health assessments. She can help in the management of infections and autoimmune diseases. She helps in the interpretation of diagnostic tests and imaging reports. She can do medication management and adjustment for long-term therapies.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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