Fever of over 103 degrees. What should I do?

Question

For the past three days I've had severe sinus blockage (no amount of nasal spray is clearing it up, but someone is out looking for a neti pot for me to use right now), a temperature that has fluctuated between 98.6 and 101.5, and diarrhea. In the past hour or so I've been getting a lot warmer. My temperature is currently at 103.2 according to the thermometer, but the thermometer is still running so it might go a little higher. What should I do? Take a bath in cool water?

I've been taking some ibuprophen, dayquil, and nyquil (not all at once).

Answer 1

go to the hospital. they are trained professionals and will help you out. if your fever gets much higher, you are likely to suffer brain damage.

Answer 2

You need anti-biotics. And SOON!

Since the sinus is very near to the brain an infection can spread very quickly to the brain and you could end up with Menningitis which is an infection of the linning that surrounds and protects the brain.

Make no mistake, this is not somthing to play around with. Although it does not progress to this stage often, it could and menningitis can cause siezures, blindness ect.

Somthing that will help while your in the waiting room of an Urgent Care or Emergency Room is Sudaphed. A vasoconstrictor. It is a cold/allegy remedy you can buy at the Pharmacy. In California it is a "controlled drug" you will have to show a Drivers License or ID with your address and sign for it. But it is cheap. 3-4 dollars.

This will decrease the swelling of your infected sinus allowing it to drain. Also a saline nose spray can, at times do more than the other type.

Medically, once your temperature reaches 103.5 you are considered "septic." Meaning the infection can become system wide and you could end up admitted to a hospital on IV antibiotics.

If I were you, I would stop at a pharmacy on the way to Urgent Care or ER. Get some cold Gatorade, Tylenol, Sudaphed and follow the drections for taking the medications, drink as much gatorade as you can, while waiting to be seen by a doctor ( waiting in the waiting room)

Tell the nurse your symptoms, starting by telling him/her you have a fever of 103.5 that is the cut off for getting you in sooner.

The fact that you now have diarrhea is not good.You are going to get dehydrated quickly. Don't eat solids. Just guzzle the gatorade. The cure is going to be anti-biotics. Which you need to see a doctor for.The Sudaphed will help open the sinus so it can drain the infected mucus out. When it starts draining you might feel a "pop" behind your eyes or whereever you are now feeling pressure.

Take note what color the mucos is, green,yellow, bloody ect. Tell your doc what the color is.

Caution: get moving. I wouldnt use the nasal sprays after the illness, you could re-infect yourself with the bacteria on the spray bottle.Good luck

Answer 3

you definately should try the cool bath..and the neti pot but if the fever and congestion dont subside then you definatley need to seek medical attention at either your regular physician or at an emergency room would be a good choice even. espcially if you have had this feever this long

Answer 4

get to the doctors

Answer 5

Go to the doctor, if your fever gets any higher you could have convulsions and its pretty likely you could have brain damage, also you could have infection in your sinuses. Before you leave take a shower in lukewarm water , if you bathe in cold water your fever will go down but it'll come back much more quickly.

good luck.