What does PUO mean in MEDICAL

Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO) is a medical term used to describe prolonged or recurrent fever in an individual with an undetermined cause. The cause may be bacterial, viral, fungal, or other environmental factors.

Yes, certain factors such as age, underlying medical conditions, lifestyle habits (such as smoking), use of medications and immunosuppressant drugs can increase the risk for developing PUO.

Common symptoms associated with PUO include fever, chills, sweating at night, general malaise and fatigue. Patients may also experience joint aches and pains as well as headaches and muscle pains.

Diagnosis of PUO typically involves physical examination and laboratory tests such as bloodwork or imaging scans such as X-ray or CT scan. In some cases additional tests such as biopsy may also be necessary to diagnose the underlying cause of the fever.

Treatment for PUO will depend on what causes it. For example if it is caused by a bacterial infection then antibiotics will be prescribed whereas if it's caused by a virus then supportive care such rest and fluids might be advised. If no underlying cause can be identified then non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might help reduce the fever.