Fever of Unknown Origin (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin): Causes, Investigations and Management
Have you ever wondered why someone can have a fever for several weeks without doctors being able to identify the cause immediately? Fever is one of the most common reasons people visit hospitals and clinics. In many cases, the cause is easily identified, such as malaria, a urinary tract infection or a respiratory tract infection. However, some patients continue to experience fever even after several medical examinations and investigations, without a clear explanation. This condition is known as Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO), also called Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO). Understanding this condition is important because the fever may be associated with an underlying infection, an inflammatory disease, a cancer or another medical condition requiring appropriate treatment. In this article, we will discuss the meaning, causes, investigations and management of fever of unknown origin. 1. Introduction Fever is a common clinical symptom that occurs when the body's temperature rises above ...