Undiagnosed Fever/PUO

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Undiagnosed fever, or Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO), refers to a persistent fever above 38.3°C (101°F) lasting over three weeks without a clear cause, even after routine evaluations. Patients in need of specialized undiagnosed fever/PUO treatment in Mumbai can benefit from expert care that focuses on identifying the root cause through advanced diagnostics. PUO may arise from infections, autoimmune conditions, cancers, or metabolic disorders, requiring extensive investigations like blood tests, imaging, and biopsies. Seeking timely undiagnosed fever/PUO treatment in Mumbai is essential, as this condition can be linked to serious health issues. Early diagnosis and expert intervention can significantly improve outcomes and help patients regain their quality of life.

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What is Undiagnosed Fever / PUO?

Undiagnosed fever, often known as Pyrexia with Unknown Origin (PUO) is a condition where an individual experiences a chronic fever that is 38.3degC (101degF) or more that lasts more than 3 weeks without having an identifiable cause, despite initial medical examination. In contrast to typical fevers caused by illnesses that are known, PUO poses a challenge for health professionals as the root cause is not clear even after the routine tests. PUO may be caused by many different ailments, including infections cancers, autoimmune diseases or other disorders of the system that require specialized methods to determine.

How Does Undiagnosed Fever / PUO Occur?

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    PUO may be caused by a variety of various conditions, making it difficult to determine the cause. Causes are generally divided into four main categories:

    1. Infections :- Undiagnosed bacterial fungal or viral infections can cause long-term high fever.
    2. Non-infectious Inflammatory Disorders :- The conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or vasculitis could cause unanswered symptoms of fevers.
    3. Malignancies :- Certain cancers like leukemia and lymphoma may present as PUO prior to when more specific symptoms become apparent.
    4. Other causes :- The following causes: Drug reaction, blood disorder or metabolic disorders can cause undiagnosed fevers.

    The wide range of causes mean that the PUO diagnosis usually will require a lengthy investigation which includes imaging tests, blood tests and, sometimes, biopsies in order to identify the root motive.

How Common is Undiagnosed Fever / PUO?

    Although fevers are not uncommon but undiagnosed and prolonged fevers like PUO are uncommon. PUO usually accounts for 2 to 3 percent of hospital admissions in developed nations and may be more common in areas in which infections are common. The most frequent cases of PUO are children, those with weak immune systems, as well as older adults. As medical technology has improved, the incidence of PUO has diminished because of more advanced tests, however it is still a major problem when it does occur.

    Symptoms of Undiagnosed Fever / PUO

    The primary characteristic of PUO is persistent fever that can’t be traced to a cause that is known. Common signs that could be present with PUO are:

    • Persistently hyperfever (>=38.3degC at 101degF)
    • Malaise and fatigue
    • Chills and sweats at night
    • Weight loss
    • Appetite loss
    • Joint pain, joint aches and muscle aches
    • Headache

    In the event of a underlying causes, symptoms can differ and may indicate particular conditions when other symptoms of the system appear. In the case of PUO, the symptoms typically remain unspecific and are not a clear indication of an diagnosis.

    Treatment of Undiagnosed Fever / PUO

    The treatment for PUO is dependent on identifying and treating the root cause. If there is no cause after thorough investigations the treatment typically consists of support care, while monitoring the symptoms. The most common treatment options are:

    1. The Symptomatic Relief :- Medications such as Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are often prescribed to treat discomfort and fever.
    2. Therapeutic Empiric :- In certain cases doctors may prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs when an autoimmune or infection process is suspected.
    3. Specific Treatments :- If the root reason is discovered (e.g. an autoimmune disorder, an infection or cancer) targeted treatment may be initiated, which could include immunosuppressants, antibiotics, or chemotherapy.
    4. Close Monitoring :- Patients are constantly watched for any symptoms that may indicate an exact diagnosis.

    In the case of complex cases it is recommended to use a multidisciplinary approach, which includes specialists like infectious disease specialists, rheumatologists or oncologists could be needed for complete care.