What could be causing a persistent fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite for weeks?

[magnum_pi]

I am consulting with a GP, but I am not getting answers and I am looking for help and input on where to turn next.

Age: 27, F, healthy weight.

Duration of complaint: ~4 weeks

Current medications (if any): Oral contraceptives, valacyclovir for cold sore prevention

Before Christmas, I developed what I thought was the flu. I had flown to visit family, assumed I caught it on the plane. I had a fever and felt VERY fatigued, with upper respiratory symptoms, was bedridden. I was finally starting to feel better when I experienced a "double sickening" over NYE, and went to the doctor on Jan 2nd. Got a z pack for what was a sinus infection. That helped pretty quickly and after a few days, I was getting ready to go back to work.

One evening, (maybe 2 days after finishing the z pack) I got hit with some pretty intense GI symptoms and my fever came back. I went back to the doctor, who figured it was probably a separate virus from what I had before. Seemed reasonable, was told to keep up fluids and wait it out. A week later, I was still having diarrhea so she ordered a stool culture (along with a c diff test and parasites) and put me on a 3 day course of cipro in case it was bacterial diarrhea. All were negative. My stools have (mostly) returned to normal.

But what's concerning me and my GP is that I still have this low grade fever, and it makes me feel so horrible and tired. I am struggling to eat because my appetite is non-existent. I'm managing 1000-1200 cals per day, but have lost over 10 pounds due to the limited diet. The fever makes me feel horrible even though it's not that high (100-100.2 F), and often goes away in the evening. I am exhausted. I cannot work and rarely leave the house except for all these doctor appointments and testing.

LFT tests are normal. CBC was normal. Kidney and pancreas normal. Electrolyte panel normal. At my recent visit yesterday, she ordered another LFT, thyroid, an EBV panel (I've already had mono and don't think this is the issue), and an ANA test.

I'm frustrated, sick of being sick, and I'm not sure what the next steps will be if all these tests come back normal. What could explain this persistent fever and fatigue for so long? What is next for me when all this blood work (likely) comes back normal? I'd like to see a specialist, but I don't even know what kind to see? I'm struggling mentally and not sleeping well.

[SassyLassie]

Hello~It truly sounds like the flu bug you caught is still with you, although not as strong. Since all the blood work is "normal" as are other tests, I would start on a good regime of high potency vitamin "B", Vitamin "D", Vitamin "C". To that, add "Propolis" a product made by the Bees, it is used in some countries instead of penicillin, the herb Echinacea, and a high potency garlic capsule. All these are immune fighters and have been known to kill many strains of the flu or the common cold. They can all be obtained at any good health food store. Also, add a high potency Probiotic to your diet to put back the friendly bacteria that the antibiotics took out. Again, this can be purchased at your local health food store.

I hope you feel better soon. God bless you.

[magnum_pi]

Thank you so much for your reply. My GP does not seem to think it’s possible that this is still flu since it has gone on so long. I am going to continue searching for answers. I am afraid a tumor may be causing the fevers.

[SassyLassie]

I hope you find the answers you need, but I still think I would try the supplements I recommended, they will help to keep your immune system strong.

[magnum_pi]

I do take most of those already (I especially love propolis!), but I will try adding echinacea since I don't take that regularly.

I am supposed to see a specialist that my GP referred me to later this week since the same symptoms and fever are still hanging around.  I hope he has some insight, even if it is just to tell me to give it more time.

[SassyLassie]

I hope all goes well with the specialist. Sometimes just hearing that it takes time to get better is encouraging and can help stop the anxiety.

[AnxiousNoMore]

The immune system is complicated and not well understood. Theoretically it sounds like a great idea to boost some part of it, however because it is a system no one knows if that is going to do anything useful due to all the complicated interactions.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system