Undulating fever

Definition

Undulating fever is a type of fever characterized by periods of high temperature followed by periods of normal temperature, typically seen in chronic infections. It can be associated with certain parasitic and fungal diseases affecting the nervous system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Undulating fever often indicates the presence of chronic infections such as brucellosis or malaria.
2. It can be caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which leads to African sleeping sickness.
3. Symptoms may include recurrent episodes of fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain.
4. Diagnosis often involves blood tests to identify specific pathogens causing the undulating fever.
5. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve antibiotics for bacterial infections or antiparasitic drugs for protozoan infections.

Review Questions

• What are common causes of undulating fever in the context of nervous system infections?
• What are some typical symptoms that accompany undulating fever?
• How is undulating fever diagnosed and treated?

Related terms

Brucellosis: A bacterial infection that spreads from animals to people, primarily causing undulating fever.

African Sleeping Sickness: A parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei leading to severe neurological issues.

Malaria: A parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes, often presenting with periodic fevers.