Rare Fever Death Being Investigated In Iowa
State health officials are investigating a rare fever death in Iowa.
The victim is a 61-year-old man who died from complications of a fever of unknown origin (FUO).
FUO is a condition in which a person has a fever that lasts for more than three weeks and the cause of the fever cannot be determined after extensive testing.
The man's death is the first reported case of FUO in Iowa in more than 20 years.
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate the case.
The IDPH is urging healthcare providers to be aware of the symptoms of FUO and to report any suspected cases to the department immediately.
Symptoms of FUO include:
- Fever that lasts for more than three weeks
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rash
FUO can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Infections
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cancers
- Medications
Treatment for FUO depends on the underlying cause.
In some cases, FUO can be treated with antibiotics or other medications.
In other cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the cause of the fever.
The IDPH is urging healthcare providers to be aware of the symptoms of FUO and to report any suspected cases to the department immediately.
Early diagnosis and treatment of FUO can improve the chances of a successful outcome.
For more information about FUO, please visit the IDPH website at https://www.idph.iowa.gov/.
