Short story: My 54 y.o. gf has had a fever (103 - 104 F) for the past 7 - 10 days. No other symptoms. Could it still be “just a virus”?
Full version: My gf’s father passed away 10 days ago. She felt “sick” but assumed it was grief related. Then, a week ago she took her temp and it was 103.5. Slight headache, poor appetite, but no respiratory or GI signs. We assumed it was a virus.
Four days ago she called her PCP, but she hasn’t seen them in 3 years so they would not see her. The reason she hasn’t seen them in 3 years is because of her breast cancer diagnosis 2.5 years ago. She had the lump removed, radiation, and did not need chemo due to the results of genetic testing.She takes a daily ant-estrogen drug.
So we went to the ER 4 days ago. Blood tests, chest radiographs, urinalysis, all normal. IV fluids and we went home with a diagnosis of “virus”. Each day she has felt the same. Yesterday she went back to the ER and they did an US to look at her gall bladder and a CT scan to look for cancer mets. All negative.
Today, fever is 104. So. . .could it still be no big deal? I am at work, she is calling her oncologist/surgeon/etc.
I don’t want to sound alarmist, but my wife had similar symptoms before she ended up in the ER with what they eventually figured out was viral meningitis/encephalitis. Only way to diagnose is to rule out other issues and do a spinal tap to look for elevated white blood cells in the spinal fluid. Has your GF had any fatigue, confusion, stiff neck?
Yes, and they have discussed a spinal tap, but they think the severity of headache is just secondary to fever. I thing spinal tap is the next diagnostic.
^heh. Circular red area about 4 inches diameter on her forearm yesterday afternoon. A Lyme test is pending, but the rash is not pathognomonic for Lyme. Test results due today; if negative a spinal tap is being done.
I’ll be shocked if this is tick related. She is very careful about tick exposure, wearing long pants, riding boots, etc when out on horseback.
On a lighter note, the final three pounds of Xmas weight gain are finally taken care of and she is happy about that.
I pointed out that one thing seen with meningitis is “irritability” and wondered aloud if she has harbored a sub clinical case for the last five years. She woulda hit me, but lacked the strength.
I am at work. I got a message from my gf that she got a neighbor to take her to the ER due to 104 and exacerbation of mental confusion.
Prior to her spinal tap, they checked on her Borrelia test and it is positive. They started IVs and Doxycycline, and the prognosis is good. She is happy to not need a spinal tap. Infectious disease specialist is with her now.
Coincidentally, one of our dogs was diagnosed with Lyme early his year (the Vet diagnosed on the first visit). Dog recovered quickly and completely, hopefully gf will do as well.:D:D:D:D
Thanks! After her first two doses of doxycycline she feels significantly better. Although she now has a dozen circular erythematous lesions primarily on her arms and legs.
Apparently Lyme is often diagnosed late. A friend’s sister was just recently diagnosed after being treated (with poor results) for lupus for 10 months. For her a second opinion paid off.
Told you The nice thing about Doxycycline is that it doesn’t cause yeast infections nearly as often as other antibiotics. That’s important when you’re female and on it for 3 weeks.
I ended up with about a dozen separate rashes too, but they were all gone within 5 days of starting the antibiotic. Are any of hers itchy? I thought it was weird that some were but most weren’t.
Tell her I hope she feels better quickly! I was fully recovered within 5 weeks (getting over tiredness took the longest) except for loss of appetite - took 4 months before I got hungry normally again.
Glad you and your gf were persistent about her symptoms and she’s doing better now. If what elfkin477 says is true, she’s going to love her swimsuit-ready body!
The nice thing about Doxycycline is that it doesn’t cause yeast infections nearly as often as other antibiotics. That’s important when you’re female and on it for 3 weeks.