pattern of fever
Last reviewed 01/2018
The pattern of the fever should be monitored in pyrexia of unknown origin. However, it is helpful in only a few conditions.
- malaria:
- Plasmodium falciparum:
- high temperature and rigors for 8-12 hours each day
- Plasmodium vivax:
- fevers every 48 hours with intervening apyrexia
- occult abscess:
- high spiking fevers 39-40 degrees Celsius, usually above 37.5 in the morning with evening peaks
- adult Stills disease:
- a hectic fever with high peaks and a relative bradycardia