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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Fever, Wheezing And Body Ache In A Child
Question: My grandson is 6 years old. He began a high fever one week ago. His symptoms are high fever (103.8) which continues off and on all day; headache, stiff neck and pain into his arm, having a hard time breathing. Dr. took blood work to rule out meningitis. Strep and flue test. Everything was negative. They said it was just a virus. They gave him a couple of breathing treatments to get his oxygen level higher and to stop the wheezing and labored breathing. But fever has been a week now, little appetitte, He complains about his body hurting from his neck to his left arm to to left side of his lower chest. Also low appetite and lethargic. Everyday since last Saturday he seems worse or the same. Not improving at all. He is normally a very, very active and athletic little boy. What do you think? Also, want you to know that we just left a week vacation at a lake in VA. The water there is very warm. Could this be the amoeba Naegleria fowleri?
Brief Answer:
Symptoms can be due to several causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. The symptoms of your grandson can be due to several causes esp. Systemic bacterial infection, meningoencephalitis, osteomyelitis or occult abscess.
He needs a complete laboratory work up along with thorough clinical examination to come to the definitive diagnosis and treatment according.
Although Naegleria fowleri is a rare condition, but it's possibility in your child needs to ruled out as early diagnosis and treatment is utmost important for survival. I would recommend you the following for evaluation:
1. Complete blood count with peripheral smear examination
2. C reactive proteins
3. ESR
4. Blood culture
5. Radiographic examination of painful joints or bones
6. CSF examination especially hanging drops examination to rule out naegleria fowleri
7. Urine routine and microscopic examination along with culture
8. Serological tests for infections like CMV, salmonellosis, tularemia after discussing with your pediatrician.
You may upload all these reports for my reference.
Treatment with emperical antibiotics such as cefixime may be started.
Hopefully this will help you.
Take care
Symptoms can be due to several causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. The symptoms of your grandson can be due to several causes esp. Systemic bacterial infection, meningoencephalitis, osteomyelitis or occult abscess.
He needs a complete laboratory work up along with thorough clinical examination to come to the definitive diagnosis and treatment according.
Although Naegleria fowleri is a rare condition, but it's possibility in your child needs to ruled out as early diagnosis and treatment is utmost important for survival. I would recommend you the following for evaluation:
1. Complete blood count with peripheral smear examination
2. C reactive proteins
3. ESR
4. Blood culture
5. Radiographic examination of painful joints or bones
6. CSF examination especially hanging drops examination to rule out naegleria fowleri
7. Urine routine and microscopic examination along with culture
8. Serological tests for infections like CMV, salmonellosis, tularemia after discussing with your pediatrician.
You may upload all these reports for my reference.
Treatment with emperical antibiotics such as cefixime may be started.
Hopefully this will help you.
Take care
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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