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Suggest Treatment For High Fever
Question: My husband has a 103 degree temperature, probably the flu. What should he do and not do?
Brief Answer:
He needs to be examined by a physician
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
let me start from what I believe is the most important part and then I'll give you some general advice about his condition. Such a high fever may be the flu or any other infectious disease. Of course the flu is the most likely scenario. But a lot of serious diseases are possible like pneumonia, meningitis, urinary tract infection, abdominal infection etc, which require emergency treatment so he needs to be examined by a physician.
When somebody has a high fever, a lot of fluids are lost due to perspiration. Thus fluid replenishment is essential for an uncomplicated recovery. For his temperature, he would need at least 1,5L of fluids per day in excess of what a normal man should drink, unless he's having severe heart failure and can't cope with fluid intake.
Watching the blood pressure is very helpful because it may drop and cause faintness or loss of conscience (dehydration and severe sepsis may cause it). In such a case he should go to the emergency room immediately.
Lying down in a warm place will help him feel more comfortable. A bath will also make him feel better.
Taking paracetamol (acetaminophen) helps with the fever. Avoid aspirin because of side effects and possible (rare) interaction with the influenza virus (Reye's syndrome - very rare in adults, more common in children).
Please use your follow-up questions, to ask for any clarifications you may need.
I hope you find my answer helpful!
Kind Regards!
He needs to be examined by a physician
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
let me start from what I believe is the most important part and then I'll give you some general advice about his condition. Such a high fever may be the flu or any other infectious disease. Of course the flu is the most likely scenario. But a lot of serious diseases are possible like pneumonia, meningitis, urinary tract infection, abdominal infection etc, which require emergency treatment so he needs to be examined by a physician.
When somebody has a high fever, a lot of fluids are lost due to perspiration. Thus fluid replenishment is essential for an uncomplicated recovery. For his temperature, he would need at least 1,5L of fluids per day in excess of what a normal man should drink, unless he's having severe heart failure and can't cope with fluid intake.
Watching the blood pressure is very helpful because it may drop and cause faintness or loss of conscience (dehydration and severe sepsis may cause it). In such a case he should go to the emergency room immediately.
Lying down in a warm place will help him feel more comfortable. A bath will also make him feel better.
Taking paracetamol (acetaminophen) helps with the fever. Avoid aspirin because of side effects and possible (rare) interaction with the influenza virus (Reye's syndrome - very rare in adults, more common in children).
Please use your follow-up questions, to ask for any clarifications you may need.
I hope you find my answer helpful!
Kind Regards!
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
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