Empiric Therapy in Acute Undifferentiated Fever and Pyrexia of Unknown Origin

Empiric therapy is given against an anticipated etiology of infection.Early administration of empiric antibiotics reduces risk, morbidity, and complications.It is essentially broad-spectrum and is started on surveillance data basis.Though broad-spectrum antibiotics may increase the risk of bacterial resistance, it is given keeping in mind the risk-benefit ratio.Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) and acute undifferentiated fever (fever of 2 weeks duration or less) should be treated empirically if the patient is seriously ill or diagnosis is not reached after a reasonable diagnostic workup.This leads to a significant reduction in mortality and a shorter hospital stay.