I am wondering if a high fever that came days after the surgery should be a concern. I am still achy and have a headache and body aches. What to do?
2006-08-26 09:47:27 · 7 answers · asked by DNBursky 2 in Health ➔ Dental
I'm a dentist.
It depends. First and foremost, Alleve is an NSAID, so it has antipyretic properties and will lower your fever. There is some additional information you should have provided.
How many "days" post-operatively?
Are you taking any medications now (other than Alleve) that you weren't taking before the surgery?
What does the surgical site look like?
Was it performed in an operating room?
Were you feeling malaise with the fever?
Is the fever still gone, or does it return after you stop the Alleve?
Post-surgical fever can be caused by various things. We call them the "Five W's". Winds, Waters, Veins, Wounds, Wonder-drugs.
Winds---atelectasis can cause fever.
Waters---Urinary tract infections
Veins---were you given an IV? The IV site could be infected.
Wounds---infection of the surgical site, often starts in 4 or 5 days
Wonder-drugs---allergic reactions to drugs
Regardless, go back and see the doctor.
2006-08-26 21:22:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
fever is a symptom. It is your body's way of telling you you have an infection. Fever is trying to burn out your infection. However, aleve will not get rid of the infection. Just some of the pain. I suggest you call your surgeon and he would probably make you take an antibiotic. If you have an infection, and you don't take care of it.....it can lead to some serious irreversible damage to certain organs. I would at LEAST CALL him.
2006-08-26 09:54:15 · answer #2 · answered by redgoddess 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should go to the doctor. Oddly, my friend had the exact same thing happen to her when she had gum surgery and it turned out to be infected. That was only 2 days after the surgery though. I don't know how many days it has been for you.
2006-08-26 09:53:46 · answer #3 · answered by trueblue88 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could have an infection and it could be really serious. Aleve will drop the fever as well as help the pain. Get yourself back to the dentist or to an ER as soon as you can.
2006-08-26 09:53:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get your behind in to a doctor and don't mess around reading any more of these. If it's bacterial, you're chancing a major problem if it gets into your bloodstream, and if it's viral, your immune system will be messed up from the oral surgery and it'll be harder to deal with. GO.
2006-08-26 10:34:08 · answer #5 · answered by linearthinker100 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call either the doctor that did the surgery or your primary care physican ASAP. fever, chills, nightsweats, nausea, vomiting are all clinical signs of infection. if you actually do have an infection you're gonna need antibiotics.
2006-08-26 09:54:39 · answer #6 · answered by mike d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps calling your doctor would be a better idea than asking us on here, ya' think?
2006-08-26 09:53:49 · answer #7 · answered by kihteacher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋