fever more than 7 days - #17200
I am feeling really worried. For the past week, I’ve had a fever more than 7 days, and it just won't go down! At first, I thought it was just a regular flu, but then after a few days, it started getting worse, chills, headaches, and now I'm getting these weird joint pains. Went to my GP two days ago and they did some blood tests, but all the results haven’t come back yet. They kinda hinted it could be something more serious, which freaked me out. I can't remember the last time I felt this awful! How can a fever more than 7 days just keep hanging around like this? Do any of you guys have any insights on what might be going on? I mean, I’ve been taking ibuprofen and drinking lots of fluids, but it seems to work only for a few hours. Also, is there something specific with a fever more than 7 days I should be looking out for? I keep thinking about infections or maybe it’s just my body's way of dealing with something else? Like, can viruses really stick around that long? Thanks in advance, I’m just trying to make sense of all this!
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Doctors' responses
A fever lasting more than 7 days can indeed indicate that your body is fighting something more significant than a standard viral infection like a common cold or flu, especially when accompanied by symptoms like chills, headaches, and joint pains. Several underlying issues can contribute to a prolonged fever. It’s important to consider both infectious and non-infectious causes. Infectious sources could include bacterial infections, such as bacterial sinusitis or pneumonia, which sometimes take time to fully develop symptoms. Additionally, some viral infections like mononucleosis or certain tropical diseases (like dengue) can persist. If you’ve recently traveled or been exposed to new environments, those are also worth mentioning to your doctor. Non-infectious causes include inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or even medication reactions, so a complete review of current medications and recent health changes is crucial.
Given your symptoms, seeking further evaluation from a specialist or asking your GP to expedite test results might be necessary. If the fever is associating with severe symptoms—such as difficulty breathing, acute chest pain, neurological changes, or a rash—it requires urgent attention. A critical aspect of managing this situation is communication with your healthcare provider about new or worsening symptoms. In terms of management at home, continue with adequate hydration and rest while avoiding excessive physical activity. Utilizing over-the-counter antipyretics like ibuprofen can help control the fever temporarily but they should be used judiciously. Monitoring your temperature regularly can provide useful information to share with your healthcare provider. Avoid self-diagnosing based on symptom similarities without professional interpretation of your test results, as it can lead to unnecessary anxiety or mismanagement. Above all, prioritize ongoing consultation and follow-up with your GP as diagnostic clarity develops.
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