Suggest Remedy For Fever Chills And Severe Body Aches

Posted on Thu, 12 Mar 2015

Question: I had what I thought was the flu 2 weeks ago...came on suddenly with feeling general discomfort all around which progressed to101.7 fever, chills, severe body aches and a hacking phelmy cough. I did not have a sore throat, or runny/stuffy nose. I did not go to the dr but spoke with him over the phone and he prescribed Tamiflu, which I started taking on day two of my symptoms and took for the full 5 days. Quick side note: I am a teacher and while calling there parents to cancel class, I found out that a few of my studentswwho I had been in contact with 3 days before getting sick had all come down with the flu... I was back up on my feet and feeling pretty good by day 5 and returned to work. Then about a week later I woke up with severe nausea...which was quickly followed by 12 hours of simultaneous vomiting and extreme extreme extreme diarrhea. I could not keep any fluids down, had a slight fever 100.1 (my normal body temp is always in the low 97s), chills, muscle aches, and severe cramping in one of my calfs that woke me up. I was fine by the evening of the next day....probably around 24 -36hrs later. Now, 4 days later I am experiencing extremely swollen tonsils which have thick white patches on them but my throat does not appear to be red...only swollen to where it is uncomfortable to swallow and I am very tired and have no appetite still. I am wondering if I should go back to the Dr. or if this is just a normal side effect of the last two.

Answered by Dr. Sheetal Verma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Influenza likely so evaluation and tests needed.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query at HCM.

I understand your concern and situation.

According to your symptoms, it seems that you are having viral infection and superimposed bacterial infection. Yes, it could be influenza as you are having cough, vomiting, diarrhoea.

I suggest you to receive an annual vaccination. Antiviral drugs like tamiflu is effective if taken within the first 48 hours after you observe symptoms.

Yes, it is possible that you can spread it to children with weakened immune system from 5 to 10 days after your symptoms began. I advise you to take bed rest, take leave from work, drink plenty of warm fluids and water. You can take Tylenol, antimotility drugs and anti emetic like domperidome to treat the symptoms. Also visit a physician for proper evaluation and laboratory work up.

Get tested for H1N1 and influenza by PCR if there is spread in your area. Get throat swab examination done for gram staining microscopy and culture sensitivity test for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to rule out especially Group B Steptococcus along with ASO titre.

You might need antibiotics to cure your primary or secondary bacterial infection. Do frequent hand washing with chlorhexidine wash or soap and water. Use disposable tissues for any cough and dispose them properly. Keep your surroundings clean. Avoid direct contact with family members.

I suggest that students from your class need to be tested too. Eat healthy and protein rich balanced diet with multivitamins and calcium supplements.

I hope I answered your query.
You can take a follow-up query.
If no clarifications then you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Best of health.
Dr. Sheetal Verma
Infectious diseases Specialist

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari