What is a fever of unknown origin?
Fevers are often a symptom of an infection that usually resolves within a few days. However, if you have a fever of 100.9° F or higher that lasts three or more weeks without a definitive diagnosis, you have what’s called a fever of unknown origin.
The experts at Infectious Disease Associates & Travel Medicine Clinic specialize in identifying the type and cause of your fever of unknown origin and provide the most effective treatment.
How are fevers of unknown origin classified?
In order to determine the cause of your fever of unknown origin, Infectious Disease Associates & Travel Medicine Clinic specialists classify your condition into a type.
Fever of unknown origin types include:
Classic
A classic fever of unknown origin is a prolonged fever that develops in an otherwise healthy person. This type of fever may be a sign of an infection, malignancy, or vascular disease.
Nosocomial
A nosocomial fever of unknown origin refers to a fever that develops in a person during or after hospitalization. These unexplained fevers may develop from a pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Immune deficient
Immune deficient fever of unknown origin, also called neutropenic fever of unknown origin, develops in people who are immuno-compromised because of medical treatment (chemotherapy) or underlying disease.
HIV-associated
An HIV-associated fever of unknown origin is an elevated body temperature in an HIV-positive person that lasts four or more weeks. The fever may be due to the virus itself or an opportunistic infection.
How is a fever of unknown origin diagnosed?
The specialists at Infectious Disease Associates & Travel Medicine Clinic conduct comprehensive evaluations to determine the type and cause of your fever of unknown origin.
To determine the type, your provider asks detailed questions about your symptoms, medical history, family history, and then performs a physical exam. Once they determine the type, your provider runs diagnostic tests to determine the cause, such as:
- Urinalysis
- Bloodwork
- Culture tests (to determine the type of infection)
- Diagnostic imaging
The experts at Infectious Disease Associates & Travel Medicine Clinic use the information gathered during your evaluation to provide an accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment plan.
How is a fever of unknown origin treated?
Treatment for your fever of unknown origin is individualized based on your diagnosis and the severity of your symptoms. Your treatment plan may include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Antihistamines
- Antibiotics
- Antiviral medications
- Referrals to specialists (oncologist)
To find out the cause of your fever of unknown origin, contact Infectious Disease Associates & Travel Medicine Clinic by phone or book an appointment online today.
