What type of viruses or infections would cause someone to have a fever for more than 10 days (and counting)?

Question

I’m concerned about my girlfriend who has had a fever for the past 10 days. Her only symptoms are a low to high grade fever, chills, a persistent headache and slight dizziness.

She *does not* have swollen glands, a sore throat, a stomach ache or a rash.

Her temperature floats between 99 – 102.6 on a daily basis. During the day her temperature will hover around 99 and then like clockwork she’ll begin to get chills and shiver around 4pm and her temperature shoots back up to around 100.7 - 102.6.

She has been to the ER and they took blood, urine and chest x-rays, which all came back negative. She feels as though if she goes back to the Dr. they will just tell her the same thing. I keep trying to calm her nerves by saying it’s more than likely a virus and just needs to work its way out. However, I am worried that it may be worse than a simple virus such as meningitis or something like that. Has someone witnessed a similar situation? How long can a fever last? 2, 3 weeks?

**UPDATE** Thank you for everyone who has posted a response. They are all helpful. My girlfriend is on day 16. We've already been back to the ER (on day 10) because she had a fever of 104. They sent us home AGAIN. Today is Day 16 and she once again had a fever of 103.7 last night. Today we're taking her to a 3rd Dr -- her usual Dr. back home. Hopefully this will be more helpful.

Answer 1

Your girlfriend may request that her physician refer her to an infectious disease specialist. For example, she may have a Mycoplasma infection. Perhaps the physician may consider taking blood cultures to identify the pathogen.

Answer 2

If she has had the fever for about 10 days, I would go see the physician again. A fever, regularly, shouldnt last that long. (About 3-4 days is the norm). Remind the physician that no one knows a patients body like the patient and that yes, something is wrong. Now find it.

If she doesnt have any of the symptoms of a normal cold/flu such as sore throat, stomach ache, etc....my money would be on an infection somewhere. When they took her blood sample they probably ran a CBC (Complete Blood Culture) test. Did her white blood cells come back elevated? If so, they should be looking for an infection elsewhere.

Ps...it is rather normal, being that she is running a fever, that her temp would shoot up again around 4pm. Check out the sources, theyll explain why.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

A friend of mine had a young child with similar symptoms, and turns out he had a lung infection. They went to several pediatricians who just said the boy had a virus and it would pass. Most didn't believe her when she explained the symptoms. After several different doctors one finally did a chest x-ray and found the infection.

I don't know if it could be the same thing since she has already had a chest x-ray done. Be persistent with the doctors and tell them you won't give up until you find the cause. Ask them to do all sorts of tests to rule out other things. Its someone you love and you have the right to keep nagging them until they find out whats wrong. Your health is not something to mess around with or be forgotten about. I would also try visiting different doctors and doing some research online. It definitely does not sound normal nor healthy. Good luck and I hope she gets better!

Answer 4

She is fighting something for sure, did they try any antibiotics??!! if that does not help, then it probably is viral, but unless they try it you won't know, and it won't hurt if it is viral, and will help to know its an infection somewhere if the antibiotics help, sounds like she has suffered long enough, and if she gets too run down it won't help. Does she have a regular Dr. ?? the ER is not the best for on going illness. And fevers usually get worse in the evening.

Answer 5

Get more than one opinion and don't be afraid to ask as many questions as it takes to ease your fears. Too many times doctors act as if they have all the answers, but they are wrong as often as they are right. So my best advice is to get as many opinions needed to satisfy you and don't let anyone make you feel badly for you are trying to get healthy which is everyone's right !!! And if you ever have a fever for more than 3 days you should be checked right away. I must add: If you get the same results at the same ER then go to a different hospital . Believe me when I say some hospitals are one track minded so changing hospitals may bring different results.