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

Question

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.

Answer 1

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.