HomeAnswersFamily PhysicianfeverAre runny nose and headache symptoms of COVID-19?

I have fever and my temperature keeps changing. Are my symptoms associated with COVID-19?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At February 17, 2021
Reviewed AtJune 30, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have fever since yesterday morning at 100.4 to 100.7 degrees Fahrenheit. During the afternoon, my temperature went down. Later, the fever came back around midnight at 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. I have been out of work since yesterday. Now, my temperature is normal at 97.34 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

May I ask for a few more questions to arrive with a diagnosis? Do you have sore throat, itchy throat, cough, cold, rash, loss of smell and taste? Do you have back pain, difficulty in urinating, or skin lesions like rash?

As fever alone is a manifestation of COVID-19, especially now that it is rampant. Do you have history of exposure to COVID-19 confirmed case or symptomatic patients? Any travel history to areas with high COVID rates? Other differential diagnosis are:

1. Dengue fever - We still see a lot of cases of dengue, we can only rule this out with a CBC (complete blood count) and platelet count with dengue NS1 ( non structural protein) and dengue IgG or IgM.

2. Urinary tract infection, we can rule this out through urinalysis.

Without the diagnostic tests, we cannot rule out any of these diseases. However, treatment is still supportive like Paracetamol for fever and to increase oral fluid intake. And we need the diagnosis to lead us to the right management, antibiotics for UTI (urinary tract infection), or fluid and platelet monitoring for dengue.

Investigations to be done

1. CBC With platelet. 2. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). 3. Urinalysis.

Probable diagnosis

Rule out COVID-19 infection vs. SVI(systemic viral infection)

Treatment plan

1. Paracetamol 500 mg tablet 1 tablet every four hours for fever. 2. Oral rehydration salt (ORS) four sachet in one liter of water as fluid replacement.

Preventive measures

WOF (warrant of fitness) - bleeding, abdominal pain. Isolate.

Regarding follow up

Follow-up once with labs or once with symptoms progression.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I do not have an itchy throat or sore throat. I got soaked in the rain while coming home two days ago. And other than a runny nose and headache, I do not have any other symptoms. I have not gone anywhere other than work for the past few months.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

But I guess getting soaked in the rain will not give you a high-grade fever. Added differential diagnosis, in this case, is acute rhinosinusitis because of cold and headache. It is really hard to differentiate between a common cold and COVID 19 nowadays. We can still get infected unknowingly. I will suggest medicine for the runny nose. The headache might be due to the cold.

The Probable causes

1. COVID 19 infection. 2. Systemic viral infection. 3. Acute Rhinosinusitis.

Treatment plan

1.Alnix plus (Cetirizine and Phenylephrine) 5 or 10 mg tablet tablet once at bedtime for five days ;2. Vitamin C and Zinc 1 tablet once a day ; Alvedon 500 mg (Paracetamol) tablet 1tablet every four hours for fever; 4. ORS four sachet in one liter of water as fluid replacement.

Regarding follow up

Follow up once with labs or symptoms progression.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you, is it different if I had a cesarean section before a year. They said it is a relapse.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

When did you have your cesarean section and is the surgical site clean? Fever from CS is usually post operational (due to anesthesia) and surgical site. If it is high grade fever, we have to consider other diagnosis.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I had a cesarean section in march of last year, and I wear underwears that are up to my navel. I was not wearing my post girdle support at that time. I sometimes wear it when it is cold. Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is almost an year. I do not think it is related to the present condition. Please check your email.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ma. Loida Ammugauan Sajonas
Dr. Ma. Loida Ammugauan Sajonas

Family Physician

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