
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Relapsing fever physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The most evident finding is a moderately ill-appearing person who is mild to moderately dehydrated. Fever, tachycardia, and hepatosplenomegaly are common physical examination findings. Less frequently, lymphadenopathy, jaundice, abdominal tenderness, pulmonary rales, skin rash, meningismus, delirium, aphasia, hemiplegia, facial paralysis, or other neurologic findings may be present.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
- The most evident finding is a moderately ill-appearing person who is mild to moderately dehydrated. Fever, tachycardia, and hepatosplenomegaly are common physical examination findings.
- Less frequently, lymphadenopathy, jaundice, abdominal tenderness, pulmonary rales, skin rash, chest pain, photophobia (fear of light),meningismus, delirium, aphasia, hemiplegia, facial paralysis, or other neurologic findings may be present.
Skin
Often there is accompanying yellowing of the skin or jaundice. The skin exam can reveal a nonspecific rash. The rash may appear macular, papular, or petechial, and usually begins as the symptoms of the primary attack resolve.
Eyes
Often there is conjunctivitis (red eyes) and icteric sclarae(yellowing of the white part of the eyes).[1]
Lungs
Pulmonary rales( less frequently)
Abdomen
Abdominal tenderness( less frequently)
Neurologic
- Meningismus( less frequently)
- Delirium( less frequently)
- Aphasia( less frequently)
- Hemiplegia( less frequently)
- Facial paralysis or other neurologic findings may be present. ( less frequently)
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
