HomeAnswersInternal Medicineviral infectionDo my fever, headache, and weakness indicate Dengue?

I have fever, weakness and throbbing of head. Do I have dengue?

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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 October 30, 2017
Reviewed AtSeptember 28, 2022

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

On 16th evening, I suddenly fell sick with symptoms like fever, sudden fatigue, chills, body aches (chest, legs, shoulders, head, eyes, almost all body). I was good during the day except for an itching in the throat. The weakness was so severe that I could not even walk a few steps. I felt like I was going to collapse. Yesterday, I visited a physician who advised me to undergo few blood tests. He thought I am having dengue. Today, I received my blood reports. The dengue tests were negative. But the CBC reports suggest an infection. I still have a similar weakness that I had during the onset of fever. When I walk, I feel like my head is throbbing and it would burst. I almost hold it by my hand to suppress the pain. The body ache seems to be reduced as I am taking Calpol twice a day. Do I really have dengue? Did the test turn negative as I did it before 24 hours of onset of fever? Do you suggest to undergo any other test like chikungunya and yellow fever? Or is it just 'atypical' viral fever? I am currently on Azithromycin once a day, Paracetamol twice a day, and Allegra twice a day.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your post and investigations (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

  • It is sure you had a viral fever. It looks like either influenza virus or dengue. Anyway, if your fever has subsided that means you have started developing an immunity to the infecting virus and the treatment is always symptomatic.
  • Your platelet count is normal. Both dengue and influenza are self-limiting and need only symptomatic treatment unless there is a low platelet count or respiratory distress.
  • Instead of Calpol (Paracetamol 500 mg), I would suggest you take tablet Dolo (Paracetamol 650 mg) 650 three times a day. That will decrease the headache.
  • Take plenty of fluids. Do not exert too much. Take rest at home. You should be better in about 36 to 48 hours which is the natural course of the illness. However, you may have to repeat the CBC to keep watch on the platelet count.

Regards.

For more information consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://icliniq.com./ask-a-doctor-online/internal-medicine-physician

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I still have fever and a severe headache while making any movement. It has been 48 hours since the onset of fever and other symptoms. Should I go for the dengue tests again? Do you suspect any other cause of infection other than influenza? Should I undergo any other tests like chikungunya? Three months ago, my platelet count was 210 mi which has dropped to 150 mi. There was no major illness between these months. When should I undergo CBC again?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

  • You can get tested for chikungunya. But, there is no need for dengue. As I said, the symptoms start improving after 72 hours. You have already passed 48 hours, and in the next 36 to 48 hours, you should be fine.
  • You can repeat the CBC (complete blood count) tomorrow. If the platelet count is more than 70,000, then there is nothing to worry. You may have some drop in the platelet count because all viral infections decrease the platelet count due to bone marrow suppression. However, if the count is more than 60,000, then it is not a problem. If it is below this, one may need hospitalization.
  • The best thing is most acute viral infections are self-limiting where the recovery starts after 72 hours, and there is a complete resolution in seven to 10 days.

For more information consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://icliniq.com./ask-a-doctor-online/internal-medicine-physician

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Two days ago, I got another CBC done. I am not taking medications since the last three days as I have completed the course. Currently, I have the following problems: A lot of swellings (bulges) with pus similar to boils. These are all over the lining of the nostrils, the passage from the nose to upper lip, on the upper lip and the corners of the lower lip. (attached image). I have a runny nose with thick, sticky mucus. It really becomes difficult to drain this out because of above boils. Sore throat is there from day-1 and has not improved. Though not severe, it aches while swallowing food or saliva. A migraine, especially in the neck area and above. A cough, though not severe, but it is there. In the morning I cough phlegm but afterward, it is not that wet. Considering that I am now in the sixth day of this illness, can you provide the further line of treatment, especially for those boils, sore throat and cough?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have seen the images of the boils (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

  • You have developed herpes around the mouth and nose because of fever. For that, you will have to use Acyclovir cream locally.  Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and start taking the medicines with their consent.
  • You also have superimposed bacterial infection of the throat. I suggest you start Levofloxacin 500 mg once daily.
  • I am expecting you to be in normal health in the next three days.

Regards.

For more information consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://icliniq.com./ask-a-doctor-online/internal-medicine-physician

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Sorry to reopen this old thread, but the exact same symptoms occurred yesterday. I have had a lingering sore throat since the first time I reported this issue. Between these 3 to 4 months, I had 2 to 3 acute sore throats followed by the common cold-like symptoms lasting 3 to 4 days. During the last occurrence, I have treated with Azithromycin 250 mg twice. Symptoms lowered but did not fully go away. Four days ago, I again got common cold-like symptoms which went on within two days. I consulted a homeopathy doctor for an immunity issue and took the first dose yesterday, and that frightening fever came back. Rapid onset and full body aches, and extreme tiredness, jumped to 104 degrees Celcius within four hours. I took Allegra 180 mg immediately, doubting allergic reaction, and in the evening, Nemisulide and Paracetamol to relieve chills and high fever. That Worked for eight hours, and in the morning, fever and chills came back. I have had a cough for three weeks now. Currently, I am taking on Levoflox 500 mg daily and Paracetamol every eight hours. When fever rises, coughing and chills aggravate. I have done CBC, ESR, and UR. Etching has started around the upper lips, so I am expecting sores like the previous episode that occurred four months ago. So this leaves me with the following doubts

1. Do I have chronic pharyngitis?

2. Is it EBV, CMV, or HSV recurring outbreak?

3. Can this be an allergic reaction to the homeopathic medicine that I just started? Though that doctor denied it.

5. Have I developed a recurring cyclic infection or an autoimmune condition?

6. Do I have a streptococcus infection that is not going away?

Please help.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You are getting recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, most likely viral the best thing for you is to get vaccinated and receive any flu shot once you complete at least five days of Levofloxacin (antibiotic) and your symptoms are over.

In addition, if possible, talk to an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeon in person to look at your tonsils and pharynx. It is not low immunity EBV (Epstein Barr virus), CMV (cytomegalovirus), and herpes does not occur this way.

Regards.

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

Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey
Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey

Rheumatology

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