title: Fever in the compromised host.
abstract: Fever in the compromised host remains a significant clinical problem. Multiple potential pathogens, subtle physical findings, and a variety of noninfectious problems that may masquerade as infection contribute to this clinical challenge. A review of host defense defects along with a careful physical examination will begin to narrow the etiologic possibilities for fever. Recognizing that the majority of infections will represent as fevers of unknown etiology, a consistent approach to the patient who responds to empiric antibiotic therapy as well as to the patient who fails to respond should be developed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Donowitz
mesh_terms: D005334:Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D010808:Physical Examination