Fever of Unknown Origin

Kathleen Ryan

doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2023.05.016

Fever of Unknown Origin

Med Clin North Am. 2024 Jan;108(1):79-92. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2023.05.016. Epub 2023 Jul 18.

Author

Kathleen Ryan¹

Affiliation

¹ Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatric, Medical College of Wisconsin & Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Suite C450, 999 North 92 nd Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, USA. Electronic address: ktryan@mcw.edu.

PMID: 37951657
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2023.05.016

Abstract

Fever of unknown origin in adolescents is a challenging disease state for which potential underlying etiology can include infectious, non-infectious inflammatory, and malignancy processes. Careful and thorough history (including exposure history), serial examination, and targeted laboratory and imaging testing is critical for these patients. In adolescents in which an etiology is discovered, infectious etiology remains the most prevalent, followed by non-infectious inflammatory diseases. In patients with non-diagnostic overall reassuring work up, the prognosis is typically self-limiting and favorable.

Keywords: FUO; Fever of unknown origin; PUO; Prolonged fever.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Communicable Diseases* / complications
Fever of Unknown Origin* / diagnosis
Fever of Unknown Origin* / etiology
Fever of Unknown Origin* / pathology
Humans
Neoplasms* / complications
Prognosis