ABSTRACT
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are a frequent cause of fever. Fever is sometimes the predominant or only feature of disease of the alimentary system. The basic causes of abdominal pain are inflammation, obstruction, hemorrhage, ischemia, perforation, functional disorders, and referred pain. Diseases of the esophagus are not usually febrile, although occasionally, infection, perforation, diverticula, and neoplasms have been associated with unexplained fever. Tuberculosis of the duodenum may present as unexplained fever. The small and large intestine are a frequent source of febrile disorders. The differential diagnosis of febrile diarrhea is extensive. The etiologic factors include microorganisms, toxins, and drugs, and inflammatory bowel disease as well as various disorders of the alimentary tract and other systems. Febrile diarrheas are classified into mode of onset and duration, etiology, and nature of the stool. Most febrile diarrheas are of an infectious origin. Inflammatory bowel disease comprises regional enteritis and ulcerative colitis. Carcinoma, lymphoma, and rarely, carcinoid — are rare sources of fever.
