I am Dr Shamoon. A fever that stays fixed in the 101-103 F range for over 48 hours and barely responds to Dolo 650 three times a day needs testing now, not another change of medicine. At 31, in Delhi, and with no other illness or regular medication, the likely causes in this pattern are dengue, chikungunya or another viral fever, typhoid (enteric fever), a urinary tract infection, malaria, or less often scrub typhus or a hidden throat/chest focus. Two things in your history concern me specifically. First, you started azithromycin 500 mg twice daily on your own - that is a higher-than-usual dose, it does not cover most of the causes above, and if this turns out to be typhoid or scrub typhus, a partially treated infection becomes much harder to diagnose and to treat correctly. Second, in dengue the fever often persists exactly like this for 4-6 days and the danger window begins as the fever starts to settle, so blood counts and platelet monitoring matter more than the height of the temperature. Also remember paracetamol only brings the temperature down for 4-6 hours; it does not treat the cause, so incomplete response is expected and is not a sign of treatment failure. Please stop self-medicating with antibiotics and get basic blood tests done today - the results will decide whether you need a specific antibiotic, supportive care only, or admission.
Next Steps
1) Get these tests today: CBC with platelet count, dengue NS1 antigen and IgM, malaria antigen/smear, typhoid (blood culture is best; Widal is unreliable early), urine routine and microscopy,
CRP, SGPT/SGOT,
creatinine, and a chest X-ray if you have any cough. 2) Stop the azithromycin you started yourself - do not continue any antibiotic without a doctor's assessment and reports. 3) Paracetamol 650 mg may be continued up to a maximum of 4 doses (3 g) in 24 hours, at least 4-6 hours apart; add tepid sponging of the forehead, neck, armpits and groin when the temperature crosses 102 F. 4) Avoid ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin, nimesulide or combination pain-fever tablets until dengue is ruled out - they increase bleeding risk. 5) Drink 3-3.5 litres of fluids daily (water, ORS, coconut water, soups, buttermilk) and take light, easily digestible food; monitor that you are passing urine at least every 4-6 hours. 6) Record your temperature every 4 hours and note any rash, joint pains, severe headache, eye pain, vomiting, burning urine or loose motions - carry this chart to the doctor. 7) Repeat the platelet count daily for the next 3 days if dengue is positive or suspected. 8) Get examined in person today or tomorrow rather than treating this over the phone. You are welcome to consult me here on Practo to review your reports, or in person at Synergy Multispeciality Hospital, Miraj.
Health Tips
Word of caution: go to a hospital immediately if you develop bleeding from the gums, nose or in vomit/stool, red spots on the skin, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, black stools, breathlessness, cold clammy hands, giddiness on standing, reduced urine output, drowsiness or confusion, neck stiffness, or if the fever crosses 104 F or continues beyond 5 days. Do not exceed 4 g of paracetamol in 24 hours, avoid alcohol, and do not take steroids or repeated antibiotic courses on your own.