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A 75 yr. old male with peripheral vas. dis. and history of ...
Sent to Health Experts October 08 07:55 PM

A 75 yr. old male with peripheral vas. dis. and history of aneurysm surgeries and diagnosed Marfan's disease is experiencing recuring bouts of chills and fevers. These come on about weekly now and "wipe" him out for about 3 days. A dry cough is more frequent as is fatigue. The chills and fevers began in mid-June 2 days after surgery to clean out a large seroma at the site of a fem-pop bypass in left leg in 2000. The void left was about 7-8 centimeters in diameter and is slowly filling in with new tissues. The surface of the wound has had to be reopenend 3 times to let the interior catch up in the growth process.

 

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Male, Age: 75, California

Already Tried:
An ENT was consulted for the cough with no findings other than post-nasal drip. I am waiting on results of blood work for infection.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
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October 8 8:26 PM (30 minutes and 37 seconds later)
         

Ardy,

When was the last fever and how high was the temperature?

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A. Alexander, MD -- Doctor (MD) -- 99% Positive Feedback on 235 Health Accepts
Hospital Medicine Director
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October 8 8:36 PM (9 minutes and 51 seconds later)
         
Friday, Oct. 5 he had 103 at 3:00 in afternoon. Three Tylenol brougt it down to 101 in evening. Sweats during night. Near normal on Sat. but VERY tired. There has also been weightloss of 15 lbs in last several months. Normal weight 192, down to 179.
The fever is always preceeded by violent chills
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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October 8 8:59 PM (23 minutes and 2 seconds later)
         
The bouts with chills and fevers are occuring closer together than they were 3 months ago. We thought that they were related to the trauma of having the wound re-opened as the first 2 bouts immediately followed these visits to the surgeon. coincidental, I think now. One episode began while I was on Keflex, antibiotic.
I had a 15 day course of vancomycin beginning about 10 days after the surgery because the fever would diminish and return every few days. I will see an infection control specialist on 10/16 but would love some answers or ideas before that.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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October 8 11:17 PM (2 hours and 18 minutes and 21 seconds later)
         
What is the next step in this system?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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October 9 11:53 AM (12 hours and 36 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
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Ardy,

The infection is still present. It does not seem the antibiotics are working. I think your weight loss is being caused by sepsis.

See this:

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3800/3887.asp?index=12361

I would consider going to the ER the next time you have a fever over 100.5.



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A. Alexander, MD -- Doctor (MD) -- 99% Positive Feedback on 235 Health Accepts
Hospital Medicine Director
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