Pneumonia...fever just won't go. Alternating medicines.

Hi

I was in hospital yesterday and tests showed I've got influenza B and pneumonia in my left lung.

I was sent home with antibiotics and Tamiflu.

I was taking Japanese cold medicine for my pain and fever, but my flatmate gave me some proper dosed paracetamol she'd brought from home (Japanese brands only come in 300mg dosages.)

However, it's hardly having any effect at all - my temp still swings between 38-39C (has been consistently high for almost 24hrs). The cooling forehead strips are giving me more relief!

I was wondering if it would be safe to alternate paracetamol and aspirin...or maybe better to take both together?

Any advice would be great! Thanks!

[yaf_user681_30355]

Hi Shadowcat,

I don't know about aspirin but you can alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen. You just have to watch how much of each you take in any 24 hours as they are slightly different. Are you able to get any ibuprofen? Also, can you use aspirin or ibuprofen, or do they make your asthma worse?

I would try a cool, damp cloth too on your forehead and back of your neck.

I hope you start feeling better very soon!

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avoid ibroprofen and i think asprin if you are asthmatic as it can spark an attack, i would try paracetamol if you are not allergic to them as these will lower your temperature

get well soon

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Shadowcat,your post reminds me of Ireland where paracetamol does can often be lower in e.g. lemsip flu powders etc and it costs a lot more than here. Paracetamol can be alternated with ibuprofen or also aspirin, I think. Not sure about taking them at the same time as always been advised alternating can give the maximum benefit as when one wears off, you can take the other. Hope you feel better soon anyway.

In regards to NSAIDs/aspirin in asthma, they can be taken as long as it is not a trigger (it is in a small number of people) and best your doctor is aware too. Some medical professionals can be cautious and advise not to unless known to be safe in individual cases. For Asthma UK advice see here All about asthma > Asthma triggers A-Z > Medicines tinyurl.com/8574rpm