Dehydration producing a fever?

bruce · 04-21-2002, 08:59 PM

Earlier this week I returned from Salt Lake City where, among other things I learned to sit-ski with Snowbird Adaptive Sports. The last day I skied I noticed my urine was getting cloudy and foul smelling. I tried to drink some extra water, knowing that dehydration could be a problem.

That night, I woke up from extreme spasticity in my legs. I was also shivering uncontrollably above the level of my injury (C6) and had major tone going below. I felt feverish too. I thought for sure I had a big UTI going on. I woke up my sister-in-law who is an ER nurse. She gave me Tylenol and Motrin to lower my fever (100.7). I also took Valiun and Baclofen for the spasticity and drank a bunch of water. After a half-hour I fell back asleep for about five hours. When I awoke, I produced 600 ml of clear, normal urine and had no fever, shivers or abnormal spasticity. Since then I have been fine--this happened over a week ago now.

My question is this: is it possible that I was just dehydrated? I can see how it would affect my urine, but would it produce the fever and all the rest?

[shameless plug section]

I also want to give big props to Snowbird Adaptive Sports ( <A HREF="http://www.snowbirdadaptivesports.org" TARGET=_blank>www.snowbirdadaptivesports.org )</A>. They were excellent and I would recommend them to anyone wanting to ski in winter or bike in summer.

[end shameless plug section]

[This message was edited by Bruce H on Apr 22, 2002 at 12:09 AM.]

SCI-Nurse · 04-22-2002, 05:52 AM

Severe dehydration can sometimes cause a fever, but I suspect that you actually had a UTI which you were able to "wash out" with the use of the increased fluids. This is not commonly able to resolve the infection alone, although it does sometimes work. As long as you are feeling OK now and your urine looks clear, it should not be a problem, but you should report this to your physician on your next check-up.

(KLD)

Wise Young · 04-22-2002, 10:45 AM

I agree with KLD. Dehydration and subsequent reduction in urine flow will tend to increase the likelihood of an infection. Bacterial concentrations are higher. When you look at "cloudy" urine under a microscope, it usually has a lot of sloughed off bladder cells, crystals, and other material in it. The best way is to make sure you drink enough fluids to maintain a minimum of 2-4 liters of urine output per day.

Can you post the "plug" in the sports and travel section as well. Thanks.

Wise.

04-21-2002, 08:59 PM	#1
bruce Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: seattle - usa Posts: 854	Dehydration producing a fever? Earlier this week I returned from Salt Lake City where, among other things I learned to sit-ski with Snowbird Adaptive Sports. The last day I skied I noticed my urine was getting cloudy and foul smelling. I tried to drink some extra water, knowing that dehydration could be a problem. That night, I woke up from extreme spasticity in my legs. I was also shivering uncontrollably above the level of my injury (C6) and had major tone going below. I felt feverish too. I thought for sure I had a big UTI going on. I woke up my sister-in-law who is an ER nurse. She gave me Tylenol and Motrin to lower my fever (100.7). I also took Valiun and Baclofen for the spasticity and drank a bunch of water. After a half-hour I fell back asleep for about five hours. When I awoke, I produced 600 ml of clear, normal urine and had no fever, shivers or abnormal spasticity. Since then I have been fine--this happened over a week ago now. My question is this: is it possible that I was just dehydrated? I can see how it would affect my urine, but would it produce the fever and all the rest? [shameless plug section] I also want to give big props to Snowbird Adaptive Sports ( <A HREF="http://www.snowbirdadaptivesports.org" TARGET=_blank>www.snowbirdadaptivesports.org )</A>. They were excellent and I would recommend them to anyone wanting to ski in winter or bike in summer. [end shameless plug section] [This message was edited by Bruce H on Apr 22, 2002 at 12:09 AM.]

04-22-2002, 05:52 AM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,344	UTI Severe dehydration can sometimes cause a fever, but I suspect that you actually had a UTI which you were able to "wash out" with the use of the increased fluids. This is not commonly able to resolve the infection alone, although it does sometimes work. As long as you are feeling OK now and your urine looks clear, it should not be a problem, but you should report this to your physician on your next check-up. (KLD)

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04-22-2002, 10:45 AM	#3
Wise Young Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 37,975	I agree with KLD. Dehydration and subsequent reduction in urine flow will tend to increase the likelihood of an infection. Bacterial concentrations are higher. When you look at "cloudy" urine under a microscope, it usually has a lot of sloughed off bladder cells, crystals, and other material in it. The best way is to make sure you drink enough fluids to maintain a minimum of 2-4 liters of urine output per day. Can you post the "plug" in the sports and travel section as well. Thanks. Wise.