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How Can Persistent Fever, Chills And Rigors In A Child Be Treated?

Posted on Fri, 8 Sep 2017

Question: Hello doctor, my 4 years 8 months old son weighing 18kg is having fever since yesterday(monday) evening. He is getting high temp(101) every 4 hourly. I gave him meftal p syrup 5 ml thrice(6:30pm, 10:40pm, 3:40am) till now. He was shivering a little bit hence did not give sponge bath. Please suggest next steps.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Get his urine tested

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through the details and understand your concern. Most often such symptoms are due to viral infections. However, the chills and rigors indicate that it could also be due to an urinary tract infection or malaria. Such fevers usually last for 5-7 days. You can continue to give Meftal-P but rather than giving it in a timebound manner, give it when there is fever. Also give tepid sponging. Chills and rigors does not mean that you would not give sponging.

You would have to be patient. Get his urine tested for routine microscopy and culture sensitivity. Also get the complete blood counts as well as malaria parasite checked. Depending on the reports he could require suitable antibiotics like ofloxacin.

Feel free to write back.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (13 hours later)

Hello doctor, got the tests done today as per your inputs. Here are reports. Please check and suggest medication, diet and precautions. Thank you very much. Truly appreciate all your help!

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No attachments found

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Unfortunately I do not see any attachment. You can upload the attachments using the facility on the upper right of this page. Alternatively you can email the attachments to YYYY@YYYY with the query id 344845 and my name mentioned in the subject.

I would await your response.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (40 minutes later)

Attached, thank you.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to viral cause

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. The WBC count is normal, thus indicating the possibility of a viral infection. The malaria parasite is negative too. The urine report is normal too (except for the increased specific gravity which indicates that the child needs to drink a lot more of water). So, the reports indicate the possibility of a viral infection. In such a case I would insist you to be patient. The symptoms should eventually resolve in 5-7 days.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (9 minutes later)

Thank you so much for checking reports and your suggestion. So, I shall continue giving 5ml meftalp syrup when there is temp and ORS and curd rice? No antibiotic needed? Shall i give zincovit? I shall close this query after your reply. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Antibiotic not needed

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

Yes, you can continue with Meftal P, ORS, and curd rice. No antibiotic is needed. You can give Zincovit but it is optional. Feel free to ask me back if you have any health related query in the future.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee