Really worried about sudden increase of temperature on day 6

[nellytheelephant1980]

Hi all
I tested positive last Monday. All week I’ve felt genuinely fine, apart from a slight sniffle and a low grade fever (about 38)
My day 5 lateral flow test was really pale.

Today at lunch time, I started shivering uncontrollably and my temperature just won’t come done from 39 - 39.5
I feel absolutely hideous, the worst I’ve felt all week.

I’ve kept an eye on my oxygen sats and they sit at 96%

I’m honestly now so so frightened that I’m going to die and it’s suddenly getting worse. What on earth is this?

Did anyone else have temperatures that did this?

Thanks

No, no, you're not going to die, calm down. I've been dealing with my daughter's temps of over 40 and I've been a wreck. My brother who was staying with me was the same, fine for four days after testing, then was hit with every symptom under the sun on day 5.

Keep taking paracetamol and you will ride it through. Lots of people are in the same boat, please don't worry.x

I had this. It's scary. I understand. Keep taking paracetamol and drinking loads of water. I used a damp tea towel over my body and that helped. I wasn't allowed out on day 10 as my temperature was still considered high at 36 at that point. I got antibiotics and it was under control by day 12. Please try not to worry. But keep in touch with 111 for advice if need be.

Thanks so much, I’m pleased to know I’m not alone and that others have come out the other side. Trouble is, the fear we’ve had drummed into us has been huge
I’ll make sure I’m drinking more as I’m probably not managing enough
X

A fever is nothing to be scared of but they do make you feel like utter shit.

A fever is basically a sign your body is fighting infection. It’s a good sign really. Your immune system is doing its job & fighting back covid!

This is a great myth busting website on fevers. It’s for children but same applies to adults. Unless your fever is above 40, you don’t need to worry (unless you have other concerning symptoms obviously!)

www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/fever-myths-versus-facts/

It's good you can monitor your SATS.
Does your temp come down at all with paracetamol/ibuprofen?
I was giving my son those on rotation (within allowed doses of course) when he had covid and checking him every 2 hours for about 3 days. He had a high temp and high heart rate but his oxygen stayed ok. I did phone my friend who is an advanced first aider for advice but we didn't get as far as needing 111, thankfully, and he recovered ok.

Please phone 111 if you're worried though. I really hope you feel better soon.

Could be a secondary infection, worth getting checked out I'd say :)

If you remember back to the pre vaccine days, the second week was when COVID got serious. This is just a weak version of that.

If your oxygen is about 96 you need to seek medical advice, ring 111. Sounds like you may be developing a chest infection and may need some steroids and antibiotics. Don’t delay ringing them. You’re not going to die but don’t leave it to get worse.

@Bagelsandbrie 96 is a perfectly normal o2 reading.

[quote Porcupineintherough]@Bagelsandbrie 96 is a perfectly normal o2 reading.[/quote]

Yes 96 is fine.

[quote Porcupineintherough]@Bagelsandbrie 96 is a perfectly normal o2 reading.[/quote]
It is just on the cusp of needing to seek medical treatment so with a high fever I would definitely ring 111. I have lupus and asthma and other conditions and I have always been told that 96 isn’t a good reading.

This is from the nhs covid section -

Sats of 96% are fine.
The temp will make you feel awful, keep cool, take paracetamol regularly and keep an eye on it.

96 is a perfectly good reading for most people as the information you linked to shows. It may not be a good reading for you personally, and if that's the medical advice you have been given you should follow that but no reason to think it applies to the OP.