Postop shaking chills, sweats

[SimpleSins]

Approximately 6 days ago, my SO (a 40+ YO WM alcoholic) had an extraction of a molar after being on 10 days of Pen-Vee K; no antibiotics post procedure.  Five days later, he is now having shaking chills alternating with sweats/feeling hot (no thermometer available, so temp not documented).  Negligible solid intake until yesterday, with minimal appetite but able to keep down small quantities at a time.  Also, some complaints of frequent soft bowel movements but no diarrhea per se.  No complaint of unusual pain at the extraction site and no mention of excessive bleeding (I was out of town at the time of extraction so I cannot independently confirm this).  No noticeable facial swelling.  Slightly malodorous oral cavity, but he is an alcoholic potentially coming off a 4-day binge starting about 24 hours after the extraction.  

Is this reason for concern in a nutritionally deficient and 'run-down' patient with regard to sepsis or even SBE following extraction of an apparently abscessed tooth, or is this normal in these patients?  I am uncertain whether to call his dentist or if it should just be allowed to run its course like a cold in a sober, relatively healthy person.

[dentist1]

I agree.  If he was on 10 days of Pen VK prior to the extraction and does not seem to have any oral infection, then it would seem unrelated to the extraction.

[Britney83]

he is suffering from withdrawls.  the tooth extraction has nothing to do with it.  IT might be more painful than for most becuase of his body's way of dealing with pain becuase of alcohol.  call dentist to be sure.  

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I would call your dentist and also get your SO in a program.