Fever every few weeks.

[red504]

So this summer my husband, age 31, of East Asian/Pacific Islander descent, has been experiencing fevers periodically . . . three times now, app. once a month.  The first time, it cycled between high- and low-grade fevers for over a week and was accompanied by digestive problems.  The doctor diagnosed viral gastroenteritis, and he soon improved with antibiotics.  It should be noted that my husband also experienced an outbreak of mouth ulcers at this time (he has experienced these periodically throughout his life).

A few weeks later, the fever was back for a few days, this time unaccompanied by gastrointestinal problems--though the mouth ulcers did recur.  The fever lasted a couple days and went away.

Now it's back (again!), along with headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and mild disorientation. (I should mention that we are currently dealing with a flea infestation, in case that is in any way relevant.)

I also want to add that my husband has had terrible rashes on his lower legs for some time, which as a result of his endless scratching (sigh) have turned into open sores.

Gah, it sounds terrible when I lay it all out like that . . .

Anyway, anyone have any ideas as to what is going on here?  Why the recurrent fevers?  Sometimes they spike pretty high, up to the 103/104 range.  Should I be worried?  Any suggestions anyone can provide would be great.  My husband's getting really frustrated, as the frequent illnesses are really starting to interfere with his professional life.

Thanks in advance.

[red504]

Well, hubby is all better . . . for now!  He is going for a check-up next week, so that's good.  If the fevers come back I am going to raise a stink, but if not . . . maybe it all really was just a coincidence . . .

[red504]

Well, since you asked for an update, here goes . . .

Hubby's fever came down last night, and he was feeling fine before he went to bed.

At 2:30 a.m., he woke me up shaking like a leaf.  His fever was down, but he was cold and couldn't stop shaking.  Then he started vomiting uncontrollably (new symptom!).  I didn't know what to think after everything that's happened, so I took him to the emergency room.  They did lab work and a CAT scan, all of which came back clear.  Told the doc about all his symptoms, and he said this is most likely another, coincidental bout of gastroenteritis, unrelated to the other two episodes.  This diagnosis was bolstered by the fact that my husband revealed that he has been experiencing intermittent diarrhea.  

So . . . mystery solved. (We hope.) The stomach is better today, though the fever keeps popping up.  We've got it under control with ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and he's taking medication for the nausea as needed.  If he's not better in a couple days we'll pay a visit to his PCP.  May just do that anyway, since the hubby is long overdue for a check-up, and I would like a second opinion whether these three incidents might be somehow connected.

Will update if anything unexpected pops up . . . And thanks again!

[red504]

Oh, I thought of one more note.  My husband has lost about twenty pounds over the summer.  I suspect this is perfectly healthy and normal, as he is still a very healthy weight for his height/frame and the weight loss could easily be attributed to the fact that he's been working hard all summer as a chef in a hot kitchen.  But I figure I'd better throw in that little detail in case it's relevant.

[red504]

Thanks so much!  That list is daunting, but I can rule out (as well as give reason to reconsider) a few things:

We have not been to a tropical climate.  So that rules out a few of the suggestions . . .

Diabetes and autoimmune disorder have NOT been ruled out, as my husband has not had a check-up in ages (he was a broke bartender before we met, and he didn't have health insurance, so it had been a few years since he'd had a check-up.  Now we have insurance, and I've been pestering him to get a check-up for months, but he keeps putting it off!  Also, he forgot to bring up the rash last time he was at the doc's).

He and I both tested negative for STDs (including HIV) when we started dating, and have been monogamous ever since, so I think we can rule those out.

The update: Right now, he has a fever of 104 (yikes!).  I paged the doctor and he advised me to give him ibuprofen and see how he looks come morning.  If he's not below 102 by then, we're going to an urgent care clinic (but I suspect his fever will break, as that seems to be the pattern).  Either way, we are definitely going to the doc next week and I will bring up your suggestions above.

Thanks a bunch, and I will definitely keep you updated!  I adore this man, so this is driving me crazy.  I just want to know he's going to be okay.

[red504]

I want to add that he is now experiencing shortness of breath and elevated heart rate as well.  Really concerned and don't know what to think.  He's trying to put off going to the doctor, but I'm talking him into it.  Any thoughts are welcome.