Persistent fever
Fever that persists longer than expected for an acute infectious disease. No precise threshold exists, and the clinical interpretation of fever is context-dependent, but as a rule of thumb, this term refers to fever that persists longer than 2-3 weeks.
Conditions associated with persistent fever
The following conditions have been associated with persistent fever in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.
Mitochondrial complex IV deficiency, nuclear type 2
Mitochondrial complex IV deficiency, nuclear type 2 is a medical condition that may be associated with various...
Omenn syndrome
An inflammatory condition characterized by erythroderma, desquamation, alopecia, chronic diarrhea, failure to ...
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a primary immunodeficiency disease characterized by microthrombocytopenia, e...
immunodeficiency 91 and hyperinflammation
An autosomal recessive immunodeficiency caused by a variation in the ZNFX1 gene, characterized by severe infec...
Tests providers may use to investigate persistent fever
When investigating persistent fever, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following laboratory tests. Test selection is a clinical decision made by a qualified professional.
CBC with Differential
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to help evaluate overall health and detect disorder...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Measures 14 substances in the blood to assess kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar ...
Urinalysis
Examines urine content to help detect urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes....
Symptoms commonly seen alongside persistent fever
Diarrhea
Abnormally increased frequency (usually defined as three or more) loose or watery bowel movements a day....
Failure to thrive
Failure to thrive (FTT) refers to a child whose physical growth is substantially below the norm....
Hearing impairment
A decreased magnitude of the sensory perception of sound....
Muscle weakness
Reduced strength of muscles....
Seizure
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence ...
Tremor
An unintentional, oscillating to-and-fro muscle movement about a joint axis....
When to seek care
Seek care from a qualified healthcare provider if persistent fever is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the symptom persistent fever mean?
Persistent fever is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. Fever that persists longer than expected for an acute infectious disease. No precise threshold exists, and the clinical interpretation of fever is context-dependent, but as a rule of thumb, this term refers to fever that persists longer than 2-3 weeks.
Which conditions are associated with persistent fever?
Persistent fever has been reported in association with 4 conditions in the medical literature we index, including Mitochondrial complex IV deficiency, nuclear type 2, Omenn syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, immunodeficiency 91 and hyperinflammation. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.
Should I see a doctor about persistent fever?
You should discuss any persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare provider. This website does not provide diagnosis. If you have severe symptoms or signs of a medical emergency, seek care immediately.