What Causes High Fever After Having Swimming Classes?

Posted on Thu, 3 Jul 2014

Question: Recently,i put my son aged 81/2 years in swimming training class.But after three days,he had high fever(103 F) lasting for two days.When i showed him to a doctor he took blood test for malaria,typhoid but the results proved negative.But,the blood tests showed high count of WBC indicating some form of infection.The doctor gave him a course of anti-biotics but the fever has not completely gone away and he gets mild fever(100F)after every 8 hours.The doctor has prescribed only 500mg paracetomol to be given whenever fever appears.
I would like to know whether he developed sickness because of swimming.Is the continuing mild fever can be treated with paracetomol.Is the dosage of 500ml ok for a child of 81/2 years.

Regards,

XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Prashant Mahajan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
not because of swimming

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the healthcaremagic
This febrile illness looks like due to viral infection. They are self limiting.So we give only paracetamol to control fever.Dose of paracetamol is as per weight.If he is weighing more than 32 kg then 500 mg is correct dose.High wbc count could be due increased neutrophils ( suggesting acute stage of infection..most probably bacterial ) or due to increased lymphocytes ( suggesting viral cause ).But if fever is persisting beyond 5- 6 days then he will need further investigations to rule out other causes of fever
Happy to help you
Best regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Prashant Mahajan (45 minutes later)

Thank you Dr for your reply.Following are the blood test results.
Total WBC count:19700
Differential count:
Neutrophils:79%
Lymphocytes:13%

Is it bacterial or viral infection?

In addition to fever,he has stuffy nose with mucus.Pl suggest whether we should give medication for this condition.

He is not taking any solid food.Kindly suggest some liquid foods which can be given.

Answered by Dr. Prashant Mahajan (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yeah sure

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for review.Wbc of 19000 with 79% neutrophils done within 48 hours of fever can not say viral vs bacterial infection. If this report was done after 48 hours of fever then it suggests bacterial infection. In liquid diet you can give her pediasure in milk which he will like as well as get required nutrition
If mucus in nose is yellow coloured and thick then it will require antibiotic.But if white coloured or mildly yellow then no antibiotic.
Happy to help you
Best regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj