More people are having IV booths at weddings but is it safe?

People are going out of their way to make social celebrations a memorable experience for those attending. A fast growing trend, particularly in metropolitan spaces has been turning a medical procedure into wedding shenanigans. Those seen dehydrated with celebratory drinking are offered to restore the lost electrolytes in a specially arranged intravenous (IV) therapy booths or counters.

Intravenous fluids are clinical solutions administered directly into the vein of the person. Known for bypassing the digestive filters, they work effectively in restoring water levels in blood, electrolytes imbalance and even delivering some medications into the bloodstream.

While historically IV therapy is given in hospitals, people increasingly are using them in social settings to recover from hangovers, flu like symptoms, gastrointestinal discomfort or just to undo everyday wear and tear.

In countries like the United States, IV lounges and drip bars are popping up in places as rejuvenating centers. The trend is seemingly making an entry into the Indian ‘luxury’ wedding market. 

“Have any of you considered (or tried) an IV the day of your wedding to help with staying hydrated? I know myself and I know I will forget to drink water while getting ready that morning and I don’t wanna get sick at my wedding, so I’m considering getting an IV,” said a user on Reddit.

Last year, a clip from Instagram had gone viral, featuring a destination wedding which had an IV booth next to the poolside for the guests to replenish or detoxify themselves after a fun episode of drinking which might have left them with a stubborn hangover or fatigue. The post positioned the procedure as an upgrade to the wedding experience.

However, the appropriateness of the procedure in a social setting is a rising concern among the healthcare professionals. 

Why bring clinics into celebrations?

Intravenous fluids are a calculated culmination of salts and sugar. Their administration is an invasive medical procedure which requires some amount of training and supervision. While providing rehydration therapy, an expert decides the type or combination of fluids a person might need depending on their age, condition and medical history.

However, experts fear there won’t be enough screening done in busy, chaotic social events like weddings or parties. 

Speaking to DH, Dr. Vikram Jeet Singh, a senior consultant in Internal Medicine said: “Though it sounds exotic or premium to have an IV booth at a party, it can be risky. It is like taking an invasive medical treatment into a social event and making it look like a fun activity. Exaggerating, but will you have a small scale surgery sitting in a salon? Absolutely not, right?”

The expert highlighted the demographic pool of a party which ranges from small children to aged adults, each having a unique medical past.

The requirements for an IV therapy vary with the complexity of a person’s health condition, said experts.

“Directly injecting fluids, vitamins, or drugs into the bloodstream can pose serious health risks when not properly evaluated or administered. The fluids don’t work the same across all people. Imagine overhydrating a person with kidney or heart disease. In hospitals or clinics, trained people note down important readings like blood pressure of the patient, blood glucose, if they have any allergies, are they diabetic or have chronic liver disease before giving any treatment. Can you reasonably imagine if the same could be followed in a messy event like a wedding or a wellness center?” said Dr Singh.

Even if the wellness volunteers are to take the readings, they might still need a medical practitioner to find a context to those numbers.

Speaking to DH, Dr. Seema Dhir, a senior consultant in Internal medicine at Artemis Hospitals said: “Even if some providers hire trained professionals, it's more likely that mistakes will happen when there are a lot of people around, a lot of things to do, and most of the functions are timed.”

Studies have shown that administering an IV is a delicate, penetrating procedure. This involves a person locating a vein and then inserting an IV catheter into it with precision. There is a possibility that the injected site might become inflamed or blocked with blood clots. 

In rare cases, an air bubble can accidentally enter the venous system, obstruct the flow of blood and result in cardiovascular complications. Medical scholars have called this rare condition an IV air embolism. The person injecting the IV must therefore have a seasoned hand.

Another concern is the hygiene around the procedure. IV therapy demands rigorous sterilisation measures, skilled administration and emergency protocols. Lack of proper hygiene or improper reuse of needles and syringes can result in local infections, vein irritation and on rare occasions, poison the blood. As per experts, weddings or social events are too hectic spaces to uphold the clinical standards.

Also, there is a risk of these solutions not being approved for medical purposes by the drug controller of India and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).

Likewise, Dr. Manisha Bhatt, a consulting physician at the Zynova Shalby Hospital (Mumbai) also said: “It feels problematic to see baratis seen dancing with IV stands. Using them casually at social gatherings can result in neglect and accidents that could have been prevented. Also, it must be strictly kept for those who genuinely need it like those severely dehydrated or having other conditions. For that, one needs to take it under the supervision of a medical health worker."

Is it really the cure for drunkenness?

In a routine IV drip, vitamins, minerals and fluids are directly injected into the bloodstream. Though they can give a boost to one’s energy and offer instant hydration, there is a misconception that they can outweigh the ill effects of alcohol in the body.

“Some people think that IV drips are a quick fix to binge or careless drinking and can undo the damage caused by alcohol. To clear the air, alcohol takes its own sweet time to flush out of the body. Drips can replenish one with energy but cannot take away the metabolic strain caused by alcohol on the body,” said Dr. Dhir.