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Suggest Treatment For High Fever And Back Pain
Question: My 12 yo son started with fever Wednesday night, then missed school Thursday and Friday with a fever between 100.8 and 101.00. I assumed virus - he has had his flu shot. This morning he woke up and we thought he was better, but reached a fever of 101.8 today. We are giving him advil on schedule (6-8 hours). He is not congested at all. The strange thing is that his lower back hurts - almost like he is describing a broken tail bone, then is uncomfortable walking up the stairs. I asked him about injury and he says he might have landed funny playing basketball this week. Could these things be connected? What is spinal meningitis? I am getting concerned...
Brief Answer:
Fever needs work up, spine needs evaluation. Not spinal meningitis
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. fever for more than three days not responding to ibuprofen / advil should be evaluated for the focus on infection as you mentioned he has no sinus congestion or runny nose or flu. A flu shot may give a fever too but that subsides in a day or two with advil.
However this incident of fall in a basket ball court followed by difficulty in gait specially waling upstairs should be evaluated as well to rule out god forbid any trauma. Although a simple muscle spasm after such landing can give this walking problem as well and is more likely.
Spinal meningitis is highly unlikely as that is inflammation of meninges of brain and spinal cord and that has different presentation and unlike it.
Nutshell, get her evaluated for the cause of fever which may be viral but to be on the dafe road rule out bacterial, Get his spinal / back evaluated for any injuries from the fall. It will also evaluate the gait.
I hope it helps. Take good care of him and yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
Fever needs work up, spine needs evaluation. Not spinal meningitis
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. fever for more than three days not responding to ibuprofen / advil should be evaluated for the focus on infection as you mentioned he has no sinus congestion or runny nose or flu. A flu shot may give a fever too but that subsides in a day or two with advil.
However this incident of fall in a basket ball court followed by difficulty in gait specially waling upstairs should be evaluated as well to rule out god forbid any trauma. Although a simple muscle spasm after such landing can give this walking problem as well and is more likely.
Spinal meningitis is highly unlikely as that is inflammation of meninges of brain and spinal cord and that has different presentation and unlike it.
Nutshell, get her evaluated for the cause of fever which may be viral but to be on the dafe road rule out bacterial, Get his spinal / back evaluated for any injuries from the fall. It will also evaluate the gait.
I hope it helps. Take good care of him and yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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