Fever That Will Not Go — Causes and Tests
Also described as long-standing fever, fever for weeks, recurrent fever.
Most fevers are viral and settle within a week. Fever lasting more than seven days, or recurring over weeks, needs investigation — in India that means considering tuberculosis, typhoid, malaria and dengue alongside other causes. Fever with confusion, a stiff neck or a rash needs emergency care.
🚨 Get emergency care if you have
- •Fever with confusion, drowsiness or a stiff neck — emergency
- •Fever with a rash that does not fade under pressure
- •Fever with breathlessness or chest pain
- •Fever with bleeding gums, or a falling platelet count
- •Fever in someone on chemotherapy or immunosuppressants — same day
What causes persistent fever?
Tuberculosis
Evening fever with night sweats, weight loss and cough. Curable with a complete course.
Typhoid
Stepwise rising fever with abdominal discomfort and relative slowing of the pulse.
Dengue or malaria
Fever with severe body aches; dengue requires platelet monitoring and warning-sign review.
Hidden abscess or urinary infection
Localised infection producing prolonged fever without obvious focus.
Non-infective causes
Inflammatory conditions and, less often, blood cancers present as prolonged fever.
How it is investigated
- ✓Full blood count with platelets, ESR and CRP
- ✓Blood culture, urine culture, and malaria and dengue testing
- ✓Chest X-ray and sputum for tuberculosis
- ✓Ultrasound abdomen, and CT where the source remains unclear
Not every patient needs every test. The consultation decides which of these apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
When should fever be investigated?▼
When it lasts more than about seven days, recurs over weeks, or comes with weight loss, night sweats, breathlessness or a rash. Fever in someone with low immunity, on chemotherapy, or after recent surgery should be assessed the same day.
Why does my fever come only in the evening?▼
Evening fever with night sweats is a recognised pattern in tuberculosis and some other chronic infections, though body temperature naturally peaks in the evening in health too. Combined with weight loss or a long-standing cough, it is a clear reason for a chest X-ray and sputum testing.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Symptoms overlap between harmless and serious conditions, and only an examination can tell them apart. If you are worried, see a doctor.
Plan your first visit
Not sure which specialist to see? Tell our care team the reason for your visit and we will help you choose.
- Bring previous prescriptions, relevant test reports or scan images, a medication list and photo ID.
- If you plan to use insurance, bring your policy details. OPD, tests and admission benefits depend on your individual plan and approval.
- Your first consultation determines which tests or treatments are needed; not everyone needs every test listed on this page.
Appointments are requests until confirmed. In a medical emergency, call 044 2025 2025 or go to the nearest emergency department.