Chest Cold, Cough, Fever And Feeling Nauseous. Fluctuating Fever After Medication. Is This Normal?

Posted on Wed, 6 Feb 2013

Question: My husband became sick on Friday and at that time he stated felt weird like a chest cold. Saturday he started coughing and I checked his fever and it was 100.9. I bought his some regular cold medication over the counter. Sunday he stated felt nauseated and was still coughing and blowing nose and stated he had body aches. I checked his temperature and it was 101.2. I advised him if it gets worse we have to go to the doctor. Well Monday he was still sick and his temperature in the morning was 102.2. I went and bought his some acetemophen because I noticed the medication I bought him did not have that in it and his fever was brought down to 98.9 as of this morning. He is still coughing and refused to go to the doctor. He stated his nose congestion has gotten better but he stated this morning he became light headed and almost fainted. Stubborn man he still refused to go to the doctor. I asked how does he feel and he stated he feels better other than he thought maybe his blood pressure went up. I checked his blood pressure on Saturday and it was normal 118/73. I did not check it this morning because he was lying on bed. Just wanted to give history. So my question is if his temperature is coming down and he states his congestion is improving should I be concerned about him still. I cannot force him to go to the doctor if he refuses. So I guess if temperature is lowering is that a good sign? Is it normal for temperature to fluctuate? I noticed when he coughs it sounds like some congestion in his chest still.

Answered by Dr. Ganesh Sanap (2 hours later)

Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
It looks like he is suffering from either viral infection or sinusitis. As symptoms are not associated with expectoration, it is less likely that he does have an infection in the chest.
Fluctuations in fever are common in viral infection . If fever is subsiding, then you can continue with antipyretic medicine (acetaminophen). You need to give him Tabet Tylenol 600 mg 6 hourly which will keep the fever down. Also give him steam inhalation 3 times a day with gargle of warm water at night. It will help him get rid of any accumulated secretions.
If fever goes above 102oF at any time, then he would need to consult a physician . We would need to rule out pneumonia in that case. He may need thorough antibiotics treatment for the same.
hope that helps. Let me know if you have any more questions

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli

Follow up: Dr. Ganesh Sanap (8 hours later)

Thanks and update we actually went to urgent care. The doctor took his temperature and it was 106 degrees. The doctor prescribed Promethazine w/codeine syrup and some azithromycin 250 mgs. He took it about 2 hours ago and I just checked his temperature and it was 101.6. So I hope it continues to go down. If it doesn't should I recontact doctor? What is considered abnormal fever?

Answered by Dr. Ganesh Sanap (3 hours later)

Hi,

It was good decision to contact physician. Continue with prescribed medicine. Fever will come down; however, minor fluctuations may occur.

Any high-grade fever is considered abnormal because it is catabolic state. If he gets high-grade fever again, then please consult your doctor for further evaluation.

A Temperature above 101 degree Fahrenheit is definitely abnormal.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E