Periodic Fever

Periodic fever describes a pattern in which body temperature rises in episodes that recur at regular intervals, with periods in between when the person has no fever, unlike a single, isolated febrile episode.

How it's recognized: The characteristic feature is the recurrence of fever episodes, which are sometimes accompanied by other symptoms such as a general feeling of being unwell or various complaints depending on the case.

Possible contexts: It may be related to processes of the immune system, infections, or reactions of the body, so its origin varies.

Who to see? Its workup may involve the pediatrician, the infectious disease specialist, the allergist, the gastroenterologist, or the dermatologist depending on the accompanying symptoms. Keeping a record of the episodes and discussing it with a professional makes it easier to understand the cause.