Fever of unknown origin physical examination

Resident Survival Guide

Fever of unknown origin Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Fever of unknown origin from other Diseases
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
Diagnostic study of choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X-ray
Echocardiography and ultrasound
CT scan
MRI
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Fever of unknown origin physical examination On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Fever of unknown origin physical examination All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Fever of unknown origin physical examination
CDC on Fever of unknown origin physical examination
Fever of unknown origin physical examination in the news
Blogs on Fever of unknown origin physical examination
Directions to Hospitals Treating Fever of unknown origin
Risk calculators and risk factors for Fever of unknown origin physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords: febris continua e causa ignota; febris e causa ignota; febris E.C.I.; fever/pyrexia of obscured/undetermined/uncertain/unidentifiable/unknown focus/origin/source; fever/pyrexia without a focus/origin/source; FUO; PUO

Physical Examination

Vitals

Temperature

• A fever is often present. The periodicity of fever may have clinical significance in selected contexts.

Pulse

Rate

• Physiologically, fever is accompanied by tachycardia
• Relative bradycardia (Faget's sign) may be present

Head

• Abnormalities of the head/hair may include ___

Eyes

• Ophthalmoscopic exam may be abnormal with findings of ___

Neck

• Jugular venous pressure may be elevated
• Carotid bruits may be present
• Lymph nodes may be present
• Thyromegaly may be present
• Hepatojugular reflux may be present

Lungs

• Pulmonary edema and rales may be present
• Wheezing may be present
• Consolidation may be present with reduced breath sounds auscultated
• Rales may be present
• Egophony may be present
• Chest movement may be asymmetric

Heart

• A heave may be present
• A thrill may be present
• A friction rub may be present

Auscultation

• S1
• S2
• S3
• S4
• Gallops
• A systolic murmur best heard at the base may be present
• A systolic murmur best heard at the apex may be present
• A diastolic murmur may be present

Abdomen

• Abdominal distention may be present
• Abdominal tenderness may be present
• Rebound tenderness may be present
• An acute abdomen may be present
• An abdominal mass may be present
• Guarding may be present
• Hepatomegaly may be present
• Splenomegaly may be present
• Genitourinary exam if relevant

Extremities

• Clubbing may be present
• Cyanosis may be present
• Edema may be present

Neurologic

• Mental status may be altered

• Conjunctivae: Roth's spots or conjunctival hemorrhage in infective endocarditis
• Oropharynx: oral thrush in HIV/AIDS
• temporal artery (eg, temporal arteritis)
• Relative bradycardia (s/o legionellosis, brucellosis, psittacosis, leptospirosis, drug fever, factitious fever)