Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies for Acute Febrile Illnesses (AFIs)

Acute fever is common in the tropics, presenting as chills, headache, muscle and joint discomfort. High temperatures usually subside independently but may indicate severe illness. The review addresses the epidemiology, etiology, and treatment of acute febrile illnesses (AFIs). In many countries, the infectious etiology and epidemiology of AFI, a disease lasting at least a week with no recognized cause, are poorly understood. Sentinel hospital studies in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia track AFI cases, collect clinical and public health data, and identify susceptibility patterns. Dengue fever and leptospirosis are significant in tropical areas but challenging to quantify. AFI can be classified as nonmalarial, diagnosed, or undiagnosed, depending on the suspected cause. Treatment should consider the patient’s specific circumstances and fever severity. Most patients see symptoms disappear within two to three weeks of treatment. Antimalarial, antibiotic, and antiviral medications should be taken with food, as directed by a doctor. Multivitamins may help with extreme fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or headaches. In the tropics and subtropics, antimalarial drugs have traditionally been used for high fevers due to the common belief that malaria is the cause. However, most fever cases have other causes. A comprehensive approach to treating acute febrile syndrome (AFS) must include knowledge of various diseases, innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools, and long-term treatment algorithms. The limited availability of point-of-care diagnostics in low-resource settings is a major challenge—one that can be addressed with minimal effort and cost if preventative measures are taken. Developing simple, inexpensive, and accurate diagnostic methods could significantly advance public health in these regions by enabling rapid identification and treatment of the specific causes of AFIs, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced disease burden.