[81F] Experiencing severe headache, fever, and confusion

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms you've described, here are a few possible conditions:

• Side effects from eye drops: Some eye drops can cause systemic side effects, including headaches, confusion, and fever. However, these side effects are rare and usually occur with specific types of eye drops like glaucoma medications.

  • Treatment: If you suspect your symptoms are related to your eye drops, you should stop using them and contact your doctor immediately.

• Infections: Certain infections can cause headaches, fever, confusion, and loss of appetite. These include tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, as well as other types of bacterial or viral infections.

  • Treatment: If an infection is suspected, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medications.

• Dehydration: Given that you're not staying well-hydrated and have a loss of appetite, dehydration could be contributing to your symptoms. Dehydration can cause headaches, confusion, and fever.

  • Treatment: It's important to drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods. If you're severely dehydrated, you may need to receive fluids intravenously (through an IV).

• Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Given your age and symptoms, it's possible that you experienced a stroke or TIA, which is a "mini-stroke" that lasts only a few minutes. Symptoms can include sudden headache, confusion, and weakness. However, you mentioned that your doctors have ruled this out.

  • Treatment: If a stroke or TIA is suspected, it's important to seek immediate medical attention. Treatment can include medications to break up clots and prevent future strokes, as well as rehabilitation therapy.

What you can do

1. Contact your doctor: Given the severity of your symptoms and your age, it's important to seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment.

2. Stay hydrated: Try to drink plenty of fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty. This can help prevent dehydration.

3. Rest: Try to get plenty of rest. This can help your body recover.

What you should look out for

• Worsening symptoms: If your symptoms get worse or you develop new symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

• Signs of a stroke: These can include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination; or sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Remember, I'm an AI and not a doctor. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional who can evaluate your symptoms and condition.