Pattern of fever

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