An elderly patient with an occult infection may present with a seemingly unrelated problem. Consideration of the possibility of an infection can result in early detection and treatment.
Clinical findings that may indicate an occult infection is present:
(1) fever >= 101°F
(2) a change in body temperature from baseline >= 2.4°F
(3) hypothermia < 96.5°F
(4) acute confusion or delirium
(5) unexplained change in behavior pattern
(6) agitation
(7) unexplained change in functional status
(8) loss of appetite and/or unexplained weight loss
(9) weakness
(10) lethargy
(11) new or worsened urinary incontinence
(12) falls
(13) tachypnea
(14) orthostatic hypotension
NOTE: Many of these findings could also be caused by an occult neoplasm.
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