Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Persistent Sweating, Chills And Cold
Question: My 22 year old son has a bad cold, or congested sinuses. He has experienced temperature spikes to 103 he says, severe uncontrollable shaking of limbs, sweating, chills. This lasts about 20 minutes and then recedes. He has 3 or 4 of them in as many days. He has two young children with colds in the house as well.
YYYY@YYYY
YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
if severe symptoms, may have flu or bacterial infection ,need to be seen
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
With temperature spikes to 103, it is possible he has the flu if he has joint/muscle pain, severe headaches and lethargy.
In that case, he may need to be seen by his doctor.
It is sometimes also possible to have a bacterial infection along with the viral flu or viral cold , in that case antibiotics are needed.
If these are not present then it is possible that he may just have a bad cold. The chills/shaking are in response to the high temperature. Essentially they occur because the body is trying to reset its ' thermostat'
Treatment is mainly symptomatic: (1) Continue to tylenol, it should be used by schedule, not according to temperature
Use every 4 to 6 hours for at least 24 to 18 hours continuously
(2)lots and lots of fluids- he is losing fluids via his skin though he may not know it , from the high fever.
Also coughing cause fluid loss from the air passages.
He should drink a lot of cold/cool fluids. The temp would help to reduce his temperature
(3)do not bundle up. When persons have chills, they are tempted to bundle up but this further increases the temperature, he really needs to cool down.
Tepid sponging along with the tylenol and cool drinks may help
(4) decongestants/antihistamine would help with any sinus congestion
(5)warm compress to his face would help if he has any facial pain due to sinus congestion. Steam inhalation would also help to open these passages and help with drainage
(6)if the cough is wet then a mucolytic to help break up the mucus would help eg mucomyst, bisolvan or guaifenesin
These are over the counter
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
if severe symptoms, may have flu or bacterial infection ,need to be seen
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
With temperature spikes to 103, it is possible he has the flu if he has joint/muscle pain, severe headaches and lethargy.
In that case, he may need to be seen by his doctor.
It is sometimes also possible to have a bacterial infection along with the viral flu or viral cold , in that case antibiotics are needed.
If these are not present then it is possible that he may just have a bad cold. The chills/shaking are in response to the high temperature. Essentially they occur because the body is trying to reset its ' thermostat'
Treatment is mainly symptomatic: (1) Continue to tylenol, it should be used by schedule, not according to temperature
Use every 4 to 6 hours for at least 24 to 18 hours continuously
(2)lots and lots of fluids- he is losing fluids via his skin though he may not know it , from the high fever.
Also coughing cause fluid loss from the air passages.
He should drink a lot of cold/cool fluids. The temp would help to reduce his temperature
(3)do not bundle up. When persons have chills, they are tempted to bundle up but this further increases the temperature, he really needs to cool down.
Tepid sponging along with the tylenol and cool drinks may help
(4) decongestants/antihistamine would help with any sinus congestion
(5)warm compress to his face would help if he has any facial pain due to sinus congestion. Steam inhalation would also help to open these passages and help with drainage
(6)if the cough is wet then a mucolytic to help break up the mucus would help eg mucomyst, bisolvan or guaifenesin
These are over the counter
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
