ABSTRACT
The three large categories of infection, neoplasia, and collagen-vascular disease are the principal causes of unexplained fever (UEF). The approach to the elderly patient presenting with fever is essentially similar to the younger one and with the increased proportion of population in their sedentary age, great efforts should be made to prevent disease, correctly diagnose and treat them. Neoplasia is more frequent in the elderly and may make its appearance as a febrile disorder, either because of tumor necrosis, or secondary infection. Fever is very often attributed to a respiratory or urinary tract infection. Giant cell arteritis is a relatively common collagen disorder and a very important cause of UEF in the elderly. The appearance of inflammatory bowel disease in the elderly may be overlooked; the condition may be manifested as diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss.
