A Fever of Unknown
Origin Treatment
What is a Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO)?
A fever of unknown origin (FUO), also known as pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) or febris e causa ignota (febris E.C.I.), refers to a fever of at least 101° F that lasts over a few weeks or occurs frequently without an explanation — despite investigations by a physician or a team of physicians.
What causes a Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO)?
Despite difficulties in identifying the reason for your fever, determining the type of FUO you have helps our team find the cause — most often being an infection, inflammation, immune system malignancy, and drug use or abuse.
What are the symptoms of a Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO)?
While FUOs are most often marked by fevers exceeding 101° F, symptoms also include sweating, chills, headaches, body or joint aches, weakness, and fatigue.
How does ID Care diagnose a Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO)?
After ID Care specialists identify a cause of your FUO, we take an approach called the diagnosis of exclusion — meaning that we eliminate every possibility until only one explanation remains. We also take additional factors into consideration including whether or not you’ve been out of the country, have been exposed to the environment for a prolonged period of time, or had any significant changes in your daily environment. Because our team is dedicated to providing the right care for the right diagnosis, we may also recommend blood work, culture, or imaging tests to expedite the time between your diagnosis and your treatment.
How does ID Care treat a Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO)?
Your treatment for FUO will vary based on its cause. If there is no underlying source of your fever, ID Care specialists may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistamines to reduce the fever itself. However, if the cause of your FUO is a result of an immunodeficiency condition or virus, your treatment plan may include antibiotics or antiviral drugs.
SOURCE: Healthline
