DH with temp of 39.4 and killer headache - thoughts?

[MrsKitty]

DH was unwell last week (wed/thur/fri) with a mild temp between 38-38.5. He improved over the weekend and went back to work yesterday, but came home with a splitting headache. Tonight he came home from work, went straight to bed. I've just checked his temp and it's 39.4. He says he feels like his head is going to explode and that earlier on this evening he felt 'delirious'. He doesn't appear to have any rashes, but he has aching limbs and his neck hurts "on and off"

Do we need to be calling NHS direct, or just sitting it out with paracetamol? I'm going to work in an hour so he'll be home alone with the DC (2&5) all night...

Please take him to A&E . I don't want to scare you but splitting headache can be something v serious. Hope he's ok.

That's pretty high for an adult (as opposed to children who can have v.high temps with minor infections). Did you check whether he can bring his chin down to his chest or knee to chest?

Tbh I think I would be calling an OOH doctor/NHS direct. A trip to A&E might be necessary.

I would get him looked at if I was in your shoes. Just to be on the safe side.

Yes, if it was just the headache or just the temp, it wouldn't be so worrying- migraine/ common virus. But here you've got classic signs of meningitis so better to check it out.

on to nhs direct now...

I'd take him to A & E just to be on the safe side.

Please take him to A&E. My best friend had very similar symptoms but decided to way a few days on painkillers. It was a brain aneurism. Sorry I don't mean to scare really but I think he should be. Heckled iu properly. Hope he's ok.

Checked out

NHs direct who might call you an ambulance

How's he doing?

Hope everything is ok Mrs Kitty. I'm sure you've done it by now but I agree - A and E or speak to out of hours docs.
DH once had a very nasty urinary tract infection that gave him a high temp/made him delirious. It is a scary business. Good luck.

I'm not a fan of A&E. I spent 4 hours there recently because some jobsworth in maternity said I needed to see a doctor before they'd see me after an accident.

Out of hours GP is the way to go IMO. I booked DH in earlier this year when he got very hot and stopped being fully coherent. It was a terrible ear infection and within twenty minutes of arriving we were on our way to the pharmacy. They only see you if it's kind of an emergency anyway and it meant I had him back wrapped up at home quickly.

You can find the number by Googling out of hours and your area. You book via a system that works like NHS direct.

I hope he's ok.

Thanks for all replies/concern - sorry I've not been back on thread sooner!

NHS direct eventually advised that we call Out of Hours doctor. Called Out of Hours, had a long chat and they said he could either go down to the OOH surgery at the hospital or go to GPs in the morning. Decided to wait until tomorrow morning and go to GPs as I had to go to work tonight. They suspect it's either a UTI or possibly an ear infection (yes, I know...Why didn't DH mention to me that his ear felt "funny" or that whilst it "doesn't exactly hut it doesn't feel right" when he wees ). I think they ruled out a possible anuerism as he said his headache came on over the course of yesterday afternoon rather than suddenly.

Thanks again. I'm sure a round of Anti-Bs will put him right.