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Suggest Treatment For Severe Fever And Chills
Question: My 24 year old daughter has a fever 101.4. (3rd day). And has now developed chills. How can I help reduce the chills without adding a blanket? (She was seen in ER last night; they checked for virus but everything inconclusive = febrile illness, uncertain cause)
I'm not sure what to do for her chills and shivering.
I'm not sure what to do for her chills and shivering.
Brief Answer:
need to reduce body temp, this would reduce chills
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The chills are an attempt by the body to reset its temperature. As you corrected deducted the use of a blanket would further increase her temperature.
Contrary to what may seem logical, she needs to wear as little as comfortable. She needs to cool down, when her temperature decreases the chills will stop.
She should be given medication to decrease the temperature, paracetamol or ibuprofen. They should be given as clockwork for the first 24 to 48 hours. If one alone is not enough then both should be given.
A bath in room temperature water (not cold water, tepid water is needed) for 5 to 10 mins or if she can be sponged down for this period of time with tepid water this would help. Initially she may seem to tremble more but the aim is to bring down the body temperature.
After the medication and the bath, there should be some improvement in temperature and chills in 30 to 60 mins.
If there is no change then she may need to be re sponged or another bath. This is sometime done in hospitals with patients with high temps and chills, repeated as necessary
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
need to reduce body temp, this would reduce chills
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The chills are an attempt by the body to reset its temperature. As you corrected deducted the use of a blanket would further increase her temperature.
Contrary to what may seem logical, she needs to wear as little as comfortable. She needs to cool down, when her temperature decreases the chills will stop.
She should be given medication to decrease the temperature, paracetamol or ibuprofen. They should be given as clockwork for the first 24 to 48 hours. If one alone is not enough then both should be given.
A bath in room temperature water (not cold water, tepid water is needed) for 5 to 10 mins or if she can be sponged down for this period of time with tepid water this would help. Initially she may seem to tremble more but the aim is to bring down the body temperature.
After the medication and the bath, there should be some improvement in temperature and chills in 30 to 60 mins.
If there is no change then she may need to be re sponged or another bath. This is sometime done in hospitals with patients with high temps and chills, repeated as necessary
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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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