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What Causes Fever In A Hemiplegic?
Question: Hi
My father - 71, hemiplegic for 13 years following brain surgery to remove benign tumour of the hypophysis - became partially paralised following surgery. For the past month, he has been registering constant, asymptomatic low-grade temperature, 99-99.6. He was prescribed antibiotics (3 courses already - currently on Keforal) but nothing changes. What could be the reason for this temperature, especially as it only manifests itself in the morning? Is it very dangerous and could it be a threat to his neurological chemistry. It's very hot in Italy where he lives, and would it be better if he went to the mountains, where it's a bit cooler? Thanks.
My father - 71, hemiplegic for 13 years following brain surgery to remove benign tumour of the hypophysis - became partially paralised following surgery. For the past month, he has been registering constant, asymptomatic low-grade temperature, 99-99.6. He was prescribed antibiotics (3 courses already - currently on Keforal) but nothing changes. What could be the reason for this temperature, especially as it only manifests itself in the morning? Is it very dangerous and could it be a threat to his neurological chemistry. It's very hot in Italy where he lives, and would it be better if he went to the mountains, where it's a bit cooler? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Need to confirm/rule out infection first
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir/ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and shall help you as much as I can.
There are quite a few causes for fever (of unexplained origin) in a hemiplegic most of which are certainly infectious. But I would like to start by pointing out a few non-infectious causes like:
-Necrosis of tissues taking place somewhere in the body
-Hemorrhage (re-bleed)
As you can see both these causes are quite serious. So in my opinion, it would be best to conduct a complete blood count for your father, to confirm or rule out infection. If at all infection is ruled out, non-infectious causes need to be considered.
If at all infection is confirmed, then doing a culture would certainly help us to further diagnose and find the cause for his daily rise in temperature. Please schedule an appointment with his doctor at the earliest.
As for relocating him, I do not think this would help him as of now. Let us first rule out the worst so we can assume lighter causes like weather sir/ma'am.
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Need to confirm/rule out infection first
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir/ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and shall help you as much as I can.
There are quite a few causes for fever (of unexplained origin) in a hemiplegic most of which are certainly infectious. But I would like to start by pointing out a few non-infectious causes like:
-Necrosis of tissues taking place somewhere in the body
-Hemorrhage (re-bleed)
As you can see both these causes are quite serious. So in my opinion, it would be best to conduct a complete blood count for your father, to confirm or rule out infection. If at all infection is ruled out, non-infectious causes need to be considered.
If at all infection is confirmed, then doing a culture would certainly help us to further diagnose and find the cause for his daily rise in temperature. Please schedule an appointment with his doctor at the earliest.
As for relocating him, I do not think this would help him as of now. Let us first rule out the worst so we can assume lighter causes like weather sir/ma'am.
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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