Miliary Tuberculosis Presenting as Pyrexia of Unknown Origin in a Health Care Worker

Abstract

Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) also known as fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a condition that has tested the clinical acumen of many a physician. The myriad conditions that present as PUO and the absence of any leading clinical clues make it a challenge for any doctor. It is well known that health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk of contracting infectious diseases. The threat of infection with blood-borne pathogens is more serious among HCWs than in the general populace because of the risk of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids. Emerging infectious diseases particularly air-borne ones pose a significant health hazard to HCWs. The increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) among HCWs is also well documented. TB can manifest in atypical ways in an HCW. A case of miliary TB presenting as PUO in an HCW has not been reported in indexed literature. Herein we report such a case.




Clin Infect Immun. 2020;5(2):41-44
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/cii102