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Suggest Treatment For Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Blood Infection
Question: My friend is in the hospital with a mrsa blood infection (sepsis I believe). He is a long time IV heroin user, and when given his oral pain meds (hydrocodone) he is crushing it up and injecting into the IV site where his antibiotics is administered. Both of his arms are now swollen the veins hardened and he is in unbearable pain and begging me to bring him heroin. It seems to me that it might actually be safer compared to him shooting the pills which are destroying his arms, but I'm so confused I don't want to cause more harm by getting it for him. Please help me asap, he's threatening to leave the hospital tonight.
Brief Answer:
Seek Psychiatrist consultation
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
One thing you have to understand that he got this infection as a result of I.V drug abuse only. So, you should support him mentally only. Please don't get him further heroine or any substance for abuse.
Tell your doctors about his behavior. They will give him anxiolytics. Anxiolytics will help him overcome his withdrawal.
Seek a psychiatrist consultation at the hospital.
Inform the hospital authorities that he might run , so that they get vigilant.
I know being a friend all this is tough for you but you have to understand that this is the only possible way out to help him.
As far as his hand swellings are concerned if he required intravenous antibiotics he will have to take them.
Oral drugs can be considered based on his Culture sensitivity report and his WBC counts.
If he requires IV antibiotics and peripheral lines are not available for cannulation now, your doctor's would place a Central venous Catheter if he needs I.V. medicines.
For swelling thrombophobe ointment and hygroscopic glycerine dressings can be done.
You have to be strong here. Don't provide him any drug at any cost.
This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD
Seek Psychiatrist consultation
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
One thing you have to understand that he got this infection as a result of I.V drug abuse only. So, you should support him mentally only. Please don't get him further heroine or any substance for abuse.
Tell your doctors about his behavior. They will give him anxiolytics. Anxiolytics will help him overcome his withdrawal.
Seek a psychiatrist consultation at the hospital.
Inform the hospital authorities that he might run , so that they get vigilant.
I know being a friend all this is tough for you but you have to understand that this is the only possible way out to help him.
As far as his hand swellings are concerned if he required intravenous antibiotics he will have to take them.
Oral drugs can be considered based on his Culture sensitivity report and his WBC counts.
If he requires IV antibiotics and peripheral lines are not available for cannulation now, your doctor's would place a Central venous Catheter if he needs I.V. medicines.
For swelling thrombophobe ointment and hygroscopic glycerine dressings can be done.
You have to be strong here. Don't provide him any drug at any cost.
This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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