Fever and PUO

Question 1

what characterizes PUO?

Answer 1

• prolonged illness (2-3 weeks)
• fever exceeding 38.3 degrees
• no diagnosis after intelligent investigations

Question 2

what is normal oral temp? who is most vulnerable to the effects of fluctuations?

Answer 2

35.8 to 37.8 deg C (lower in morning, higher in afternoon)

those who cant thermoregulate effectively: children and elderly

Question 3

when is the febrile response productive? (non damaging)

Answer 3

at maximums of 39 degrees C and for acute periods. many immunological, endocrine and physiological mechanisms function at peak performance here.

becomes counter productive for chronic periods….damaging.