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Risk for Hep C?
Dear Doctor, 2 weekends ago (13 days to be exact) after being heavily drunk I used cocaine with 3 people in a birthday party. This is something that i have not done for years now, which I believe means that my nose was in a pretty good condition (probably not injured etc.)
2 of the people that were with me in this are regular users (NOT IDU), but I am not aware of any significant health issues for them, not knowing them that well.
I used a rolled up bill and a straw and I took probably 3 lines although im not so sure about that.Being drunk I am also not sure if I was careful in the way that i did it. All from the same nostril.
10 days after that and till now I am having a low grade fever, with the higher temperature OF THE ARMPIT that I have noticed being around 99F, although this was noticed when feeling a bit hot-sweaty. I woke up a bit sweaty 2 days ago and today morning I had a diarrhea (not light though).
Do you think that I am in a risk for Hepatitis C or maybe even HIV? Should I be concerned? Are these symptoms assosciated with these infections or is it too early?
A doctor also informed me that maybe only 30% of people will mount an antibody responce to HCV, is that true in any way? Being hypochondriac I am trying to stay away from testing but I am also scared!
2 of the people that were with me in this are regular users (NOT IDU), but I am not aware of any significant health issues for them, not knowing them that well.
I used a rolled up bill and a straw and I took probably 3 lines although im not so sure about that.Being drunk I am also not sure if I was careful in the way that i did it. All from the same nostril.
10 days after that and till now I am having a low grade fever, with the higher temperature OF THE ARMPIT that I have noticed being around 99F, although this was noticed when feeling a bit hot-sweaty. I woke up a bit sweaty 2 days ago and today morning I had a diarrhea (not light though).
Do you think that I am in a risk for Hepatitis C or maybe even HIV? Should I be concerned? Are these symptoms assosciated with these infections or is it too early?
A doctor also informed me that maybe only 30% of people will mount an antibody responce to HCV, is that true in any way? Being hypochondriac I am trying to stay away from testing but I am also scared!
As I understand, the last response was from a moderator and not the doctor himself, am I right?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear kizpop,
In order to post a follow up question for additional answers, could you please copy and paste the original question and follow up question as a new paid question, so that your concern could be addressed as soon as possible by the doctor?
many thanks!
Dr. Vaibhav Banait
In order to post a follow up question for additional answers, could you please copy and paste the original question and follow up question as a new paid question, so that your concern could be addressed as soon as possible by the doctor?
many thanks!
Dr. Vaibhav Banait
i just realized that the bathroom has nothing to do with it...
thank you doctor, your response has been very helpful to me.
I am trying to stay away from testing as I told you and I think this will be the best idea, but in case I choose to test for antibodies for HCV when should I do that? Are 3 months sufficient given my "exposure"?
I am still having this twitching over that area sometimes, maybe more when I am using the bathroom,and i am not sure it is a muscle although it seems like that. can it actually be the liver doing it?
all the best
I am trying to stay away from testing as I told you and I think this will be the best idea, but in case I choose to test for antibodies for HCV when should I do that? Are 3 months sufficient given my "exposure"?
I am still having this twitching over that area sometimes, maybe more when I am using the bathroom,and i am not sure it is a muscle although it seems like that. can it actually be the liver doing it?
all the best
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello Kizpop,
I understand your concern.
Your temperature appears to be within normal range. Minor variations in body temperature during the course of the day is common.
The symptoms of muscle twitching near liver and penis smell or secretions has nothing to do with HCV and HIV.
I personally do not think you could have contracted HIV from the cocaine taken through nostril. The chance of contracting HCV through this route is also minimal. Yet, if you are concerned about being infected, getting tested is the best way to put your mind at rest.
Hope that this information helps and hope that you will get better soon.
Thank you for using MedHelp's "Ask an Expert" Service, where we feature some of world's renowned medical experts in their fields. Millions have benefitted from our service to get personalized advice for them and for their loved ones.
Best Regards,
Dr. Vaibhav Banait.
I understand your concern.
Your temperature appears to be within normal range. Minor variations in body temperature during the course of the day is common.
The symptoms of muscle twitching near liver and penis smell or secretions has nothing to do with HCV and HIV.
I personally do not think you could have contracted HIV from the cocaine taken through nostril. The chance of contracting HCV through this route is also minimal. Yet, if you are concerned about being infected, getting tested is the best way to put your mind at rest.
Hope that this information helps and hope that you will get better soon.
Thank you for using MedHelp's "Ask an Expert" Service, where we feature some of world's renowned medical experts in their fields. Millions have benefitted from our service to get personalized advice for them and for their loved ones.
Best Regards,
Dr. Vaibhav Banait.
By the way, a reason i have been more concerned about HCV was that the incident happened in Greece, where the rates of HCV infection are maybe higher than other areas of the developed world.
Thank you doctor for your reply.
I realised that my (very) low grade fever might be a result of playing intense video games! i know it might sound weird, but taking my temperature after 40-60 minutes of intense clicking (maybe even 2 clicks per second!) i realized that i found greater temperatures than the rest of the day.
I took my temperature exactly after waking up and it was much lower-around 95.2 F, rising after 10-20 minutes to 96.2.
My diarrhea happened only once, now i have normal stool.
I have some follow up questions:
1.from what i read in this website, there is no possibility for HIV infection from the incident and a very remote theoretical risk for HCV, do you consider testing a necessity -I am trying to stay away from tests from a psychological point of view.
2.I feel like I am having very light muscle movements on the side of the liver, could this happen so early if it was HCV, or is it probably my mind playing tricks?
3.To your knowledge, does an odd smell on the penis due to odd smelling semen or urine have anything to do with an early HIV or HCV infection? I know it sounds odd, but i remember reading that in the first days of HIV infection a large amount of sulfur is released through urination, and although i took some multivitamins the last days, i believe that the smell started before that ( and is still on although i didn't get the vitamins the last 2 days!)
I realize that these questions might be out of the scope of your specialty, but if you have any answers regarding possible hiv/HCV infections from the straw/bill please advise. I promise there won;t be more follow ups.
all the best
I realised that my (very) low grade fever might be a result of playing intense video games! i know it might sound weird, but taking my temperature after 40-60 minutes of intense clicking (maybe even 2 clicks per second!) i realized that i found greater temperatures than the rest of the day.
I took my temperature exactly after waking up and it was much lower-around 95.2 F, rising after 10-20 minutes to 96.2.
My diarrhea happened only once, now i have normal stool.
I have some follow up questions:
1.from what i read in this website, there is no possibility for HIV infection from the incident and a very remote theoretical risk for HCV, do you consider testing a necessity -I am trying to stay away from tests from a psychological point of view.
2.I feel like I am having very light muscle movements on the side of the liver, could this happen so early if it was HCV, or is it probably my mind playing tricks?
3.To your knowledge, does an odd smell on the penis due to odd smelling semen or urine have anything to do with an early HIV or HCV infection? I know it sounds odd, but i remember reading that in the first days of HIV infection a large amount of sulfur is released through urination, and although i took some multivitamins the last days, i believe that the smell started before that ( and is still on although i didn't get the vitamins the last 2 days!)
I realize that these questions might be out of the scope of your specialty, but if you have any answers regarding possible hiv/HCV infections from the straw/bill please advise. I promise there won;t be more follow ups.
all the best
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Kizpop,
Your symptoms suggests the possibility of an intestinal infection. I would suggest you to consult a local physician if these symptoms last for more than couple of days or if you observe blood in stool or if you develop significant fever. You may need treatment with antibiotics.
Regarding your query about the risk of Hepatitis C or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, these are very unlikely if you have not injected yourself.
As for the percentage of people mounting an antibody response to Hepatitis C, it’s true that only in 30 percent of cases the antibody response is enough to clear the virus. Rest require treatment.
Binge drinking is associated with serious liver disease and pancreatitis. Cocaine is associated with nasal perforations, infection and heart attacks. In the interest of your health, I would request you to refrain from these in future.
Hope that this information helps and hope that you will get better soon.
Thank you for using MedHelp's "Ask an Expert" Service, where we feature some of world's renowned medical experts in their fields. Millions have benefitted from our service to get personalized advice for them and for their loved ones.
Best Regards,
Dr. Vaibhav Banait
Your symptoms suggests the possibility of an intestinal infection. I would suggest you to consult a local physician if these symptoms last for more than couple of days or if you observe blood in stool or if you develop significant fever. You may need treatment with antibiotics.
Regarding your query about the risk of Hepatitis C or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, these are very unlikely if you have not injected yourself.
As for the percentage of people mounting an antibody response to Hepatitis C, it’s true that only in 30 percent of cases the antibody response is enough to clear the virus. Rest require treatment.
Binge drinking is associated with serious liver disease and pancreatitis. Cocaine is associated with nasal perforations, infection and heart attacks. In the interest of your health, I would request you to refrain from these in future.
Hope that this information helps and hope that you will get better soon.
Thank you for using MedHelp's "Ask an Expert" Service, where we feature some of world's renowned medical experts in their fields. Millions have benefitted from our service to get personalized advice for them and for their loved ones.
Best Regards,
Dr. Vaibhav Banait
i forgot to mention that I am 27, male and heterosexual, and that I had been tested for HIV, Hepatitis A,B,C and syphilis in the start of the summer. I have also gotten the shot(s) for hepatitis B in my childhood and around a year ago I had 60mol count for it.
In the part that i said that diarrhea was not light, i meant the colour.
Thank you.
In the part that i said that diarrhea was not light, i meant the colour.
Thank you.
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