Intermittent fever

Definition

Intermittent fever is characterized by episodes of fever that alternate with periods of normal temperature, typically occurring on a predictable schedule. This type of fever can indicate underlying conditions, such as infections or inflammatory diseases, where the body’s thermoregulation is disrupted, leading to fluctuating body temperatures over time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Intermittent fever is often associated with certain infections like malaria or tuberculosis, where the fever pattern reflects the organism's life cycle.
2. The temperature spikes in intermittent fever can vary widely, sometimes reaching over 38°C (100.4°F) during fever episodes.
3. During afebrile periods in intermittent fever, patients may feel completely normal and show no signs of illness.
4. Monitoring the timing and pattern of fever episodes is crucial for diagnosing the underlying cause and guiding treatment strategies.
5. Intermittent fever can also occur in non-infectious conditions like autoimmune diseases or malignancies, indicating a need for comprehensive evaluation.

Review Questions

• What are the potential causes of intermittent fever and how can they impact patient care?
  • Intermittent fever can arise from various causes including infections like malaria and tuberculosis, as well as autoimmune diseases. Understanding the underlying cause is essential for effective patient care. For instance, timely identification of a febrile episode can prompt appropriate diagnostic tests and treatments, potentially improving outcomes and preventing complications.
• Compare and contrast intermittent fever with other types of fever patterns such as continuous and remittent fevers.
  • Intermittent fever differs from continuous fever, which remains elevated without normal temperature intervals, and remittent fever, which fluctuates but never returns to baseline. These distinctions are significant because they help healthcare providers determine potential diagnoses. For example, continuous fever may suggest a severe bacterial infection, while intermittent patterns often indicate specific infectious diseases or inflammatory processes.
• Evaluate the clinical significance of accurately documenting the pattern of intermittent fever in a patient's medical history.
  • Accurate documentation of intermittent fever patterns in a patient's medical history is clinically significant as it aids in differential diagnosis and treatment planning. By noting the frequency, duration, and accompanying symptoms of febrile episodes, healthcare providers can identify trends that may point to specific illnesses. This detailed record can lead to quicker diagnoses, more targeted treatments, and ultimately better patient outcomes by addressing root causes effectively.

Related terms

Fever:

A temporary increase in body temperature, often due to an illness or infection, reflecting the body's immune response.

Hyperthermia:

A condition where the body temperature rises significantly above normal, usually due to environmental heat exposure or excessive physical exertion.

Circadian Rhythm: The natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and other physiological processes in a roughly 24-hour cycle, influencing body temperature variations throughout the day.