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What Causes Low Grade Fever And Dizziness After A Surgery?

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Posted on Wed, 7 May 2014
Question: Background My son is 20 , recently 2/52 ago (sat 12th april Discharged friday 18th April.)had MBA in Bush , Speed 70-80km hr hit large metal pipe across bush track and went over handle bars . Not found for 2 hrs, fractured femur just above knee, plus other bruising. Operated on 24 hrs later. Post op pain was hard to keep under control and had one code blue episode due to "overdose of PCA fentanyl.Also agitatiove Mental state more so than 'normal.'" Upon discharge was having orthostatic hypertensive episodes with chest pain and difficulty with catching breath and c/o upper lft abdominal pain that went through to back also, went grey/white during this time, pain and swelling to knee increased and temperature elavated to 39.4 degrees. Returned to hospital via ambulance, in ED commenced on QID panadol morphine and antibiotics IV , was re-admitted temp went down ...obviously. Blood tests state nil infection so antibiotics ceased. Haemoglobin is 83. was 86 when first admitted. during this second 48 hr admission Had Head CT and ultrasound to abdomen. these were clear. Remains low grade temps of 37.6 37.8 on QID paracetomol and appears to be worse in the evening, with him requesting aircon to be turned off, shivering and requesting extra blankets. He was transferred to a smaler country hospital (where he lives) with follow up physio. His temp elevated agin to 38.6 first night and haemoglobin remains low. He states he "feels tired and is sick of feeling "not right" He has since had an iron infusion for low hemoglobin of 86 Has since been discharged from hospital .... But still gets dizzy and have noticed his skin color is grey on standing ... Low grade fever too? Should I be concerned?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (5 hours later)
Brief Answer: Nothing worrisome. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. The feeling of sickness and feeling cold low grade fever and dizziness are all related to weakness and shock of the accident and a major surgery which he had to undergo. Such a low grade fever is not suggestive of any infection or a complication. Even after an iron infusion it takes few days for the hematocrit to rise and the symptoms do take even more time to improve. The other causes for his symptoms can be- 1. Dehydration or electrolyte imbalance - Regular intake of rejuvenating fluids might help. Apart from the drinks which contain glucose and electrolytes he must have enough water alongwith to combat dehydration. 2. Low blood sugar - Taking a light meal, preferably some lean protein and/or complex carbohydrate with a little healthy fat every 3-4 hourly might help him. The symptoms will gradually subside in next few days. Please do not worry. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12314 Questions

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What Causes Low Grade Fever And Dizziness After A Surgery?

Brief Answer: Nothing worrisome. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. The feeling of sickness and feeling cold low grade fever and dizziness are all related to weakness and shock of the accident and a major surgery which he had to undergo. Such a low grade fever is not suggestive of any infection or a complication. Even after an iron infusion it takes few days for the hematocrit to rise and the symptoms do take even more time to improve. The other causes for his symptoms can be- 1. Dehydration or electrolyte imbalance - Regular intake of rejuvenating fluids might help. Apart from the drinks which contain glucose and electrolytes he must have enough water alongwith to combat dehydration. 2. Low blood sugar - Taking a light meal, preferably some lean protein and/or complex carbohydrate with a little healthy fat every 3-4 hourly might help him. The symptoms will gradually subside in next few days. Please do not worry. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal