Intermittent fever: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:33, 13 February 2025

A type of fever pattern characterized by episodes of fever interspersed with normal temperature periods

Overview[edit]

Illustration of fever pattern

Intermittent fever is a type of fever pattern where the body temperature fluctuates between periods of fever and periods of normal or subnormal temperature. This pattern is often associated with certain infectious diseases and can provide clues to the underlying cause of the fever.

Characteristics[edit]

Intermittent fever is characterized by:

Fever spikes: Periods of elevated body temperature that occur at regular intervals.
Afebrile periods: Intervals where the body temperature returns to normal or below normal.

The duration and frequency of the fever spikes can vary depending on the underlying condition.

Causes[edit]

Intermittent fever can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

Malaria: A parasitic infection transmitted by mosquito bites, known for its classic tertian (every 48 hours) or quartan (every 72 hours) fever patterns.
Tuberculosis: A bacterial infection that can cause prolonged intermittent fever.
Sepsis: A severe infection that can lead to intermittent fever as the body attempts to fight off the infection.
Brucellosis: A bacterial infection from animals that can cause undulant fever, a type of intermittent fever.

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of intermittent fever involves:

Medical history: Understanding the pattern of fever and any associated symptoms.
Physical examination: Checking for signs of infection or other underlying conditions.
Laboratory tests: Blood tests, cultures, and imaging studies to identify the cause of the fever.

Management[edit]

The management of intermittent fever focuses on treating the underlying cause. This may include:

Antibiotics: For bacterial infections such as tuberculosis or brucellosis.
Antimalarials: For malaria, specific medications are used to target the malaria parasite.
Supportive care: Including hydration, antipyretics, and monitoring of vital signs.

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis of intermittent fever depends on the underlying cause and the timeliness of treatment. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can lead to a favorable outcome in many cases.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Intermittent Fever''' is a type of [[fever]] characterized by periods of elevated body temperature alternating with normal or subnormal temperature. It is a common symptom in various diseases and conditions, including [[malaria]], [[tuberculosis]], and [[sepsis]].
+{{Short description|A type of fever pattern characterized by episodes of fever interspersed with normal temperature periods}}
+{{Medical resources}}
-==Definition==
+==Overview==
-An '''Intermittent Fever''' is defined as a fever that returns to normal at least once in 24 hours. This pattern of fever can be observed in several diseases, most notably [[malaria]]. The fever typically recurs every second day or every third day, depending on the species of [[Plasmodium]] causing the malaria.
+[[File:Febbre.gif|thumb|right|Illustration of fever pattern]]
+'''Intermittent fever''' is a type of fever pattern where the body temperature fluctuates between periods of fever and periods of normal or subnormal temperature. This pattern is often associated with certain infectious diseases and can provide clues to the underlying cause of the fever.
+==Characteristics==
+Intermittent fever is characterized by:
+* '''Fever spikes''': Periods of elevated body temperature that occur at regular intervals.
+* '''Afebrile periods''': Intervals where the body temperature returns to normal or below normal.
+The duration and frequency of the fever spikes can vary depending on the underlying condition.
 ==Causes==
-The most common cause of intermittent fever is [[malaria]], a disease transmitted by the bite of an infected [[Anopheles mosquito]]. Other causes include [[tuberculosis]], [[sepsis]], [[lymphoma]], and certain [[autoimmune diseases]] such as [[lupus]] and [[rheumatoid arthritis]].
+Intermittent fever can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
+* [[Malaria]]: A parasitic infection transmitted by [[mosquito]] bites, known for its classic tertian (every 48 hours) or quartan (every 72 hours) fever patterns.
+* [[Tuberculosis]]: A bacterial infection that can cause prolonged intermittent fever.
+* [[Sepsis]]: A severe infection that can lead to intermittent fever as the body attempts to fight off the infection.
+* [[Brucellosis]]: A bacterial infection from animals that can cause undulant fever, a type of intermittent fever.
 ==Diagnosis==
-Diagnosis of an intermittent fever involves a thorough medical history and physical examination, followed by laboratory tests. These may include [[blood tests]], [[urine tests]], and [[imaging studies]]. The specific tests ordered will depend on the suspected underlying cause of the fever.
+The diagnosis of intermittent fever involves:
+* '''Medical history''': Understanding the pattern of fever and any associated symptoms.
+* '''Physical examination''': Checking for signs of infection or other underlying conditions.
+* '''Laboratory tests''': Blood tests, cultures, and imaging studies to identify the cause of the fever.
+==Management==
+The management of intermittent fever focuses on treating the underlying cause. This may include:
+* '''Antibiotics''': For bacterial infections such as tuberculosis or brucellosis.
+* '''Antimalarials''': For malaria, specific medications are used to target the malaria parasite.
+* '''Supportive care''': Including hydration, antipyretics, and monitoring of vital signs.
-==Treatment==
+==Prognosis==
-Treatment of an intermittent fever depends on the underlying cause. For example, malaria is treated with [[antimalarial drugs]], while tuberculosis is treated with a combination of [[antibiotics]]. In some cases, the fever may resolve on its own without treatment.
+The prognosis of intermittent fever depends on the underlying cause and the timeliness of treatment. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can lead to a favorable outcome in many cases.
-==See also==
+==Related pages==
 * [[Fever]]
-* [[Malaria]]
+* [[Infectious disease]]
-* [[Tuberculosis]]
+* [[Body temperature]]
-* [[Sepsis]]
-[[Category:Symptoms and signs]]
+[[Category:Medical signs]]
-[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
+[[Category:Fever]]
-[[Category:Autoimmune diseases]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}