Must I Filter?

[Objection (OP)]

So I'm getting morphine straight from a sterile pouch, being poured into clean glass.  Need I put a piece of cotton in there when I draw it up in a fresh needle?  Not touching anything dirty, and using cotton seems to put me at risk of cotton fever.  Seems to be as sterile as it can be.....

[Chip]

depends on how clean the glass is.

I used to filter because it also gave the needle somewhere soft to press on whilst drawing up.

I very rarely used (blunt) "drawing-up" needles and then would switch tips (sharp) on the barrel.

fresh cotton buds were my filter of choice - never had any problems.

[Z]

There are special filter needles for vials actually.  https://www.bd.com/en-us/offerings/capabilities/syringes-and-needles/filter-and-fill-needles/bd-nokor-filter-and-admix-needles for example.


Cotton fever doesn't come from cotton.  It comes from bacteria in old cottons and unclean preparation.  If you follow clean procedure it isn't something you need to think about.


Not using a filter is up to your risk tolerance.  Plenty of times I didnt, but maybe that one time a larger particle for through would have cost me my arm.  Around here mixing coke shots in the baggie and no cotton for heroin is pretty standard for lots of people.  It might not be the smartest thing to do though.