Is this 111/A&E worthy?

[RandomBanto]

My husband is hardly ever ill. We're talking never been in hospital, only been to the doc a handful of times in the 20 years we've been together and generally hardly ever gets a sniffle.

He's come home from work today saying he's freezing, then said he was boiling, aches all over, shivering, feels slightly sick, aversion to light and has a headache. Checked his temp which was 40 degrees and have given him Paracetamol and he's gone to sleep (he never take tablets etc hence me giving them to him, he doesn't need mothering!(

He said all this came on suddenly about 3pm and before that he felt absolutely fine and had his lunch which was just a basic marmite wrap and crisps and fruit so can't be food poisoning etc.

He said it doesn't feel like covid as he's had that before.

I'm really worried as Paracetamol hasn't brought his temp down but he is asleep as seems OK at the moment. His mum says I should take him to a&e or call 111. AIBU to let him sleep?

YABU wake him up and call 111
YANBU leave him be he's ok

Covid can feel different each time. Do a covid test

We're 40 by the way so not young but I happened to be speaking to his mum earlier when he came home. No covid tests and can't get some now as we have young children at home .

Just see how he is. Might just be a 24 hour bug and may feel better after a sleep. No harm in calling gp for an appointment in the morning, or 111 if you can't get through

This sounds like the flu or a viral thing. I would
Keep an eye on him for now and see how he goes.

I’d try and get some ibuprofen in him, it is most likely flu or a new covid variant - I’ve had it more than once and both times felt different. He will be very low down the list in A&E, hopefully his fever will do its thing and he will be through the worst of it soon.

If you speak to a doctor with that information they will say viral stay hydrated and take regular analgesia
I wouldn't be worried at this point but you are with him.and know him best

I wouldn't yet - there's horrid colds, flu and Covid going round see how he is after a couple of doses of paracetamol.

However, if your gut instinct says there is something more serious then ring 111 for advice.

If it's come on that quickly I'd say it's flu.

Yes. Could be sepsis

I would use the 111 online page or ring them but I wouldn't go to A&E. You'll be waiting ages he'll be more comfortable at home and if it is covid, or anything else contagious, you don't want to take it to A&E and risk spreading it if you can avoid it.

The feeling cold thing would worry me and is a classic symptom of sepsis. Get it checked out please.

If he doesn't seem to have a cold or anything I would maybe call 111 for advice. I would just be cautious of sepsis if he's shivering with temp spikes and feeling achy etc. Google the symptoms of sepsis just to check.

Sleep, fluids, paracetamol.

Reminds me of the first time I had flu. Was fine then started to feel unwell, within 2 hours ,I had symptoms like you've described.

Oh wow never considered sepsis. I'll Google that now and keep checking his temp. He can't take ibuprofen it makes him sick oddly. He missed his flu jab this year due to the pharmacy running out and cancelling his appointment which we didn't get round to rearranging. So it might be that. Thinking on it He has said his throat is a bit sore the last few days but as he's never ill I didn't think much of it and he's still been at work etc.

I'd call 111. Probably flu but aversion to light could be meningitis which could lead to septicaemia and sepsis. (I.e. widespread infection the body then responds to by attacking itself). Does he have a rash anywhere? If so roll a glass over it and check if it fades, if it doesn't then I'd get him to A&E. I'd probably call 111 then monitor him. But as someone else said if your gut tells you it I'd an emergency and he needs to go to hospital then take him. But would start with 111 sk you can get some advice whilst everyone is comfortable at home. (As comfortable as possible anyway).

Feeling cold (the chills) is a normal physiological process when you have an infection and goes hand in hand with fever

It doesn't necessarily mean sepsis as other posters are suggesting.

Fever and chills is normal.in all sorts of bacterial and viral infections.

Based on the information you have given op it really isn't worthy of a and e or 111 even HOWEVER, you are with him and know him and if your instinct is he needs help then you should definitely listen to that.

The feeling hot and cold thing is classic pyrexia, which is one of the symptoms of sepsis, but is also one of the symptoms of a plethora of viral and bacteria infections - a specific sign of sepsis would be if his extremities were actually cold to the touch, so cold hands or feet.

I'll go and check on him in a minute and see if his extremities feel cold.

The aversion to light would worry me - I'd call 111 to be on the safe side.

Just ring 111 OP. No-one on here is qualified to advise you otherwise.

The light situation alone is cause for concern think sepsis or meningitis. Better safe than sorry call 111

I would definitely seek advice with this from111/999 - the aversion to light is worrying with the other symptoms, and if this is meningitis, it really needs very early intervention.
hope he feels much better very soon

Agree - think 111 would be a good idea.

You could do the 111 online symptom checker? You answer some questions and it will give you an indication of whether they think a call back etc is appropriate.

40 degrees is a pretty high temperature for an adult, that with the aversion to light would be making me quite cautious. Can he touch his chin to his chest?