Abstract
This chapter discusses fever of unknown origin (FUO). FUO describes prolonged fevers greater than 38°C/101°F lasting for 3 or more weeks that remain undiagnosed after a focused FUO outpatient/inpatient workup. The causes of FUO include infectious and noninfectious disorders. A variety of infectious, malignant, and rheumatic/inflammatory disorders may be associated with prolonged fevers, but relatively few persist undiagnosed for sufficient duration to be classified as FUOs. Because the appropriateness of therapy is based on a correct diagnosis, the main focus of the clinical approach to FUOs is diagnostic rather than therapeutic. The diagnostic workup should be focused on signs, symptoms, and nonspecific laboratory abnormalities that may either enhance or diminish particular diagnostic possibilities. Empiric therapy is rarely justifiable unless a potentially treatable life-threatening disease is a definite/highly probable diagnosis.
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