Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Low Grade Fever And Chills
Question: My wife is 55 years old....in great health....starting Thursday night, started getting chills. Yesterday afternoon chills kept up and got a fever. She's been taking XXXXXXX Seltzer Plus, and Advils and sleeping a lot. Achy ....this morning we were able to get a prescription from our out of town doctor (We're in XXXXXXX but are from Missouri) for 10 Tamiflu ..75 mg She's still feeling like crap. Says she feels better than shortly starts to feel bad again. Should we give this a few days to work itself out?
I forgot....does have a low grade fever too.
I forgot....does have a low grade fever too.
Brief Answer:
it's difficult to give such advice
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
fever, body aches and either no other symptom or respiratory tract symptoms like cough may be consistent with the diagnosis of influenza. That's why the colleague recommended tamiflu. Tamiflu protects against influenza and may reduce the duration of illness (not much though) if it's indeed influenza.
The problem is that neither your doctor nor I, can diagnose anything from afar. This is probably a viral infection that will run its course and go away by itself but this is the statistical view of your case. That said, I (and your doctor too) can't exclude a more serious illness like pneumonia or a urinary tract infection which may require different treatment and may cause serious problems if not properly and promptly treated. That's why the only recommendation I can make is to visit a local doctor for clinical assessment. If the doctor finds nothing unusual then the viral scenario is the most likely. Otherwise different treatments might have to be instituted.
Taking paracetamol (acetaminophen) will help with the symptoms (body aches and fever) but this is just for the symptoms. I would advise against using advil unless paracetamol is not effective because advil and similar drugs may cause serious side effects like renal failure, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, etc.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
it's difficult to give such advice
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
fever, body aches and either no other symptom or respiratory tract symptoms like cough may be consistent with the diagnosis of influenza. That's why the colleague recommended tamiflu. Tamiflu protects against influenza and may reduce the duration of illness (not much though) if it's indeed influenza.
The problem is that neither your doctor nor I, can diagnose anything from afar. This is probably a viral infection that will run its course and go away by itself but this is the statistical view of your case. That said, I (and your doctor too) can't exclude a more serious illness like pneumonia or a urinary tract infection which may require different treatment and may cause serious problems if not properly and promptly treated. That's why the only recommendation I can make is to visit a local doctor for clinical assessment. If the doctor finds nothing unusual then the viral scenario is the most likely. Otherwise different treatments might have to be instituted.
Taking paracetamol (acetaminophen) will help with the symptoms (body aches and fever) but this is just for the symptoms. I would advise against using advil unless paracetamol is not effective because advil and similar drugs may cause serious side effects like renal failure, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, etc.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response. We did end up at the ER tonight and she had a UTI, so the Thera=flu prescription was a $140 waste! LOL Again, thank you.
Brief Answer:
you're welcome!
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
$140 for tamiflu??? Wow! You get it with $20 in Greece!
Anyway it's good that you sorted it out because a urinary tract infection with fever is pretty serious.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
you're welcome!
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
$140 for tamiflu??? Wow! You get it with $20 in Greece!
Anyway it's good that you sorted it out because a urinary tract infection with fever is pretty serious.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
