Suggest Treatment For Severe Chills And Shivering

Posted on Sun, 19 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 19 Apr 2015 Answered on

Wed, 6 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My 90 year old parents had dinner at at restaurant mid-afternoon yesterday. Upon retuning home both experienced various symptoms. Mom - could not leave the bathroom for awhile. Dad become very chilly for several hours, in fact, almost shaking cold. He took some Aleve and drank some ginger ale and felt somewhat better later on by midnight. I am curious could this be something with the food or just did th flu hit them at the same time? Both have had the their flu shots? They ate well done hamburger with all the goodies ontop.
Thanks, Concerned Daughter

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be flu

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

Its unlikely that the flu hit both your parents at the same time. Gastroenteritis or food poisoning could be likely. If your parents complain of abdominal pain and fever with foul smelling or bloody diarrhea then antibiotics would be required. Antispasmodic drugs like hyoscine butylbromide can be taken for abdominal cramps or spasmodic pain. Adequate fluid intake such as ORS should be employed to avoid dehydration if there are one or two episodes of loose stool. Encourage both your parents to have food that is easy on the stomach. Fatty food, alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods should be avoided.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T