Genitourinary Fever in Adults

Abstract

Since a broad spectrum of urological diseases may present with fever, the presence of this symptom, particularly when accompanied by features suggesting an acute infection (high temperature, rapid onset with shivering), must prompt the search for a urological origin. The location of the site of infection can be relatively straightforward when a fever is accompanied by specific symptoms or signs: the association with loin pain and a tender kidney usually indicates an infection of the kidney or the upper urinary tract; a painful and swollen scrotum is consistent with an epididymo-orchitis, while suprapubic pain and dysuria together with a high temperature suggest acute prostatitis.

The aim of this chapter is to provide a practical algorithm to promptly detect the possible urological origin of a high temperature and to guide its initial management. A careful history and patient’s examination is usually sufficient to identify the site of origin of a urogenital infection. Immediate outpatient antibiotic treatment or hospital referral are based on the severity of the clinical situation.