5 Questions
What is the definition of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) according to Petersdorf and Beeson?
A temperature greater than 38.3°C on several occasions, accompanied by more than 3 weeks of illness, and failure to reach a diagnosis after 1 week of in-patient investigation
What are some physiological causes of fever?
After meals, After vigorous exercise, During pregnancy
What is the normal range for body temperature?
36.5-37.4° C
What is the terminology for abnormally high body temperature between 38.1 - 39° C?
Moderate grade
What are some causes of fever?
Infections, Neoplasms, Auto-immune diseases, Endocrine disturbances
Study Notes
Fever and Pyrexia
- Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) is defined as a fever that lasts for more than 3 weeks, with a temperature above 38.3°C, and fails to respond to antibiotic therapy, according to Petersdorf and Beeson.
- Physiological causes of fever include:
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Tissue damage
- Immune response
- Hormonal fluctuations
- The normal range for body temperature is 36.5-37.5°C.
- Abnormally high body temperature between 38.1-39°C is termed as moderate fever.
- Causes of fever include:
- Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic)
- Inflammatory responses (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
- Cancer
- Medication reactions
- Vaccinations
- Environmental factors (e.g., heat stroke, sunstroke)
Test your knowledge about Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (P.U.O) with this quiz by Dr. Hasan Sedeek Mahmoud. Explore the definition, causes, and diagnostic work up for PUO cases, and enhance your understanding of fever and heat disorders.
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