title: [Dangerous fever].
abstract: Fever is a frequent symptom which can arise as a consequence of bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Additionally, fever is a frequent symptom in non-infectious diseases, e.g. autoimmune diseases or lymphomas. The term dangerous fever describes febrile conditions which are associated with high mortality and, in most cases, mandate hospitalization, and even monitoring in an intensive care unit. As a rule, infections (bacterial infections in particular) may begin harmlessly; however, they can instantaneously change into life-threatening conditions even a few days later. In the following report we focus on some critical syndromes which must be recognized quickly, such as severe sepsis, septic shock, fever in neutropenia, and fever in the immunocompromised patient.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Infektiologie und Spitalhygiene, Universitätsspital Basel, Schweiz.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tschudin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sponagel
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Flückiger
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D003422:Critical Care; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000209:etiology*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis