Fever of unknown origin

Fever of Unknown Origin

Fever of unknown origin (FUO), pronounced /ˈfiːvər ʌv ʌnˈnoʊn ɔːrɪdʒɪn/, is a term used to describe a condition in which the patient has an elevated temperature (fever) but despite investigations by a physician no explanation has been found. The term was first coined in 1961 by Petersdorf and Beeson.

Etymology

The term "Fever of unknown origin" originates from the medical field. "Fever" comes from the Old English fefer, from Latin febris meaning "a fever", and "unknown origin" is self-explanatory, referring to a condition or situation that is not known or identified.

Definition

The definition of FUO has been refined over the years. Currently, a patient is considered to have FUO if a fever higher than 38.3°C (101°F) persists for more than three weeks or occurs frequently without explanation. Despite thorough investigation, including physical examination and laboratory tests, the cause of the fever cannot be found.

Types

There are four categories of FUO, which are classified based on the source of the fever:

1. Classic FUO: unexplained fever in patients who were not immunocompromised or hospitalized.
2. Hospital-acquired FUO: unexplained fever in patients who had been hospitalized for reasons other than fever.
3. Immune-deficient FUO: unexplained fever in immunocompromised patients.
4. HIV-associated FUO: unexplained fever in patients with HIV.

Causes

The causes of FUO are numerous and can be categorized into infections, neoplasms, connective tissue diseases, and miscellaneous disorders. In many cases, despite extensive investigations, the cause of the fever remains unknown.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of FUO involves a thorough history taking, physical examination, and laboratory investigations. The aim is to identify the source of the fever, which can be challenging due to the wide range of potential causes.

Treatment

Treatment of FUO depends on the underlying cause, if identified. If the cause remains unknown, treatment focuses on managing the symptoms.

Related Terms

• Fever
• Infection
• Neoplasm
• Connective tissue disease
• HIV

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Fever of unknown origin
• Wikipedia's article - Fever of unknown origin

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