When would you take an adult to the ER for high fever?

[AmericangirlinFrance]

As the title says - at what point would you consider taking an adult with a high fever to the ER?

My husband tested positive today for type A influenza, and his fever spiked at 103.5 tonight. He's lucid, and it's coming down (a little) with Tylenol and Motrin, and he is drinking a little fluid (not as much as he probably should be, though). He's a healthy person normally, so I don't think he needs to go to the hospital. But seeing a number that high on the thermometer kind of freaked me out! I thought if he hit 104 after medication, then we might go.

So, hypothetically, at what point would you take a healthy adult to the ER for a high fever?

 

[low-key]

103.5 is real high for an adult, if it dont drop quickly you better take him

 

[mrssmith06]

as long as he is still lucid I would keep a strict check on it and if it budges any higher at all or he starts to act out of it...then take him in immediately. Otherwise, just make sure it starts to come down with the medication, or it may just break all at once. It is common to run a high fever with the flu but that is a scary number!

ETA: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fever/DS00077/DSECTION=symptoms
Adults
Call your doctor if:

Your temperature is more than 103 F (39.4 C)
You've had a fever for more than three days

In addition, seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs or symptoms accompanies a fever:

Severe headache
Severe throat swelling
Unusual skin rash, especially if the rash rapidly worsens
Unusual sensitivity to bright light
Stiff neck and pain when you bend your head forward
Mental confusion
Persistent vomiting
Difficulty breathing or chest pain
Extreme listlessness or irritability
Abdominal pain or pain when urinating
Any other unexplained signs or symptoms

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Rather than going by the temperature on the thermometer, I'd look at the person's lucidity, their energy level, and whether they were staying hydrated.

If the person was lucid, had some energy and was well hydrated but it hit 104, I'd might think about a Minute Clinic or an Urgent Care but not about the actual ER..

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I remember reading years ago, an adult at 103 with nausea, headache or pain should go to the ER.
Also if they are at 102 and not holding down liquids they should go to the ER because they are probably dehydrated.

At 104 - get to the ER fast no matter how you are feeling - as an adult that's a dangerous fever.

 

[clh2]

If you DH had been specifically confirmed to have the flu - you obviously have already been in to see a doctor, physician's asst etc.

Did they not give you any specific instructions - which would have included something that would either let you know where to call if you have questions, or at what point should you be concerned about a fever?

Our clinic has a 24 hour "call-in" triage line - that handles questions just like this.

 

[disney1990]

If meds aren't bringing down the temperature, try a cool bath. Do you have a "call a nurse" line? If so, I would give them a call and ask. Otherwise, I say 104.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I remember reading years ago, an adult at 103 with nausea, headache or pain should go to the ER.
Also if they are at 102 and not holding down liquids they should go to the ER because they are probably dehydrated.

At 104 - get to the ER fast no matter how you are feeling - as an adult that's a dangerous fever.

That is what we go by. I would think now a bag of fluids would be best for him right now.
Hope he feels better.

 

[mnrose]

What did the doctor say when your husband was diagnosed with influenza? Usually, my doctor have given me advice about what to look for, and when to seek additional care.

Personally, I would NOT go for a fever if it is responding to medications and as long as the patient has no other symptoms (e.g., is still lucid, and is not having any other worrisome problems). I would also probably double down on fever meds and see what happened before I'd drag someone out to the ER. If more fever meds don't work, OR other symptoms developed, I'd probably bite the bullet and take him.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

We are at my parents' house for Christmas, so he went to a CVS Minute Clinic this morning, not the family doctor. He swabbed positive for influenza A. The nurse practitioner did not give any instructions about when to seek further care. I guess I didn't expect it to be this bad. Before we went to the Minute Clinic, his fever had only hit 102. My mom is a nurse as well, so he's getting pretty good care.

I know he'd sure feel better after a bag of fluids, but since he's lucid and keeping down some fluids (although not a lot, like I said), I'm hesitant to drag him out in the cold when he feels so bad.

What worries me is that a lot of fevers spike higher at night... I hope this was it for tonight.

He also started Tamiflu today.

 

[castmemberb4]

OP Please keep us posted that sounds scary high !
I've known two people one adult and one 3 year old who died from flu.
Don't take take any chances.

 

[Robbi]

Fevers usually spike at night. If I were in your position, I'd bring him now either to a walk in clinic or the er. Good luck and I hope he feels better soon.

 

[phorsenuf]

We are at my parents' house for Christmas, so he went to a CVS Minute Clinic this morning, not the family doctor. He swabbed positive for influenza A. The nurse practitioner did not give any instructions about when to seek further care. I guess I didn't expect it to be this bad. Before we went to the Minute Clinic, his fever had only hit 102. My mom is a nurse as well, so he's getting pretty good care.

I know he'd sure feel better after a bag of fluids, but since he's lucid and keeping down some fluids (although not a lot, like I said), I'm hesitant to drag him out in the cold when he feels so bad.

What worries me is that a lot of fevers spike higher at night... I hope this was it for tonight.

He also started Tamiflu today.

So what does your mom recommend doing?

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

So what does your mom recommend doing?

Since it's coming down some now with medication, she's okay with watchful waiting. We're checking his temperature frequently, making sure he's okay, drinking, etc. Now his temp has gone down enough I don't think we're considering taking him.

Just curious what others thought they would do in a similar situation... in case this happens again tomorrow night, or something.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

I wouldn't go to an ER for fever of 104. The fever will break before he is seen. Your mom, being a nurse, should have good advice. Unless he has a history of seizures with fever you are just going to have to let things run their course. He's got Tamiflu, get him some fever reducer (Tylenol, Motrin, rotating doses).

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

I wouldn't go to an ER for fever of 104. The fever will break before he is seen. Your mom, being a nurse, should have good advice. Unless he has a history of seizures with fever you are just going to have to let things run their course. He's got Tamiflu, get him some fever reducer (Tylenol, Motrin, rotating doses).

That's what I figured too. More concerned about dehydration, although for now that seems okay. I would consider it more seriously if he was not drinking or keeping fluids down for a while.

 

[MEK]

ETA: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fever/DS00077/DSECTION=symptoms
Adults
Call your doctor if:

Your temperature is more than 103 F (39.4 C)
You've had a fever for more than three days

In addition, seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs or symptoms accompanies a fever:

Severe headache
Severe throat swelling
Unusual skin rash, especially if the rash rapidly worsens
Unusual sensitivity to bright light
Stiff neck and pain when you bend your head forward
Mental confusion
Persistent vomiting
Difficulty breathing or chest pain
Extreme listlessness or irritability
Abdominal pain or pain when urinating
Any other unexplained signs or symptoms

I have to completely agree with this. The flu beats the crap out of people. He is going to be sick for awhile. As long as he isn't developing any complications from the fever and the flu, I would try to take care of him at home.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I would definitely make him take a tepid bath for at least 15-20 minutes. My daughter always ran high fevers as a baby (highest of 105) and the doctor always said Tylenol (or Advil) every 4 hours (including waking up throughout the night to take it) and putting her in a tepid bath. She would SCREAM and BEG when we'd first put her in, but 5-10 minutes in you could see the color come back into her face and she would immediately begin to feel better, which is when we would get as many fluids as possible into her, because whenever she runs a fever she vomits. Stay on top on that fever and don't give it a chance to start to rise again.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Fever is down to 101 and he's sleeping. I am setting an alarm to get up to give him more Advil in a few hours. Thanks all for the advice!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Since it's coming down some now with medication, she's okay with watchful waiting. We're checking his temperature frequently, making sure he's okay, drinking, etc. Now his temp has gone down enough I don't think we're considering taking him.

Just curious what others thought they would do in a similar situation... in case this happens again tomorrow night, or something.

Glad he is doing better.

Please make sure the fluids he's drinking aren't a diuretic