What are the characteristics of fever in biliary tract infections?

Under normal circumstances, fever caused by biliary tract infection has distinct characteristics, mainly including sudden onset, large fluctuations in body temperature, accompanying localized pain, tendency to recurrent fever, and the need for continued vigilance even after fever subsides. The details are as follows:

1. Sudden onset: Fever due to biliary tract infection often appears abruptly, with body temperature rising rapidly within a short time. It is commonly accompanied by chills—sudden cold sensations and shivering—followed by a swift increase in body temperature. This acute onset of fever and chills is mostly caused by bacterial toxins rapidly entering the bloodstream and stimulating the body's temperature regulation center.

2. Large fluctuations in body temperature: Body temperature during fever is typically above 38.5°C, and in severe cases may exceed 40°C, resulting in high fever. Although temperature may gradually decrease following anti-infective treatment, it tends to fluctuate or rebound if the infection is not fully controlled.

3. Accompanying localized pain: Fever is often associated with right upper abdominal pain, which is usually described as distending pain, colicky pain, or dull ache. The pain may worsen with breathing or changes in body position. This occurs because biliary tract infections cause spasms of the gallbladder or bile ducts and inflammatory irritation of surrounding tissues, leading to pain that coincides with fever.

4. Tendency to recurrent fever: If treatment is incomplete or if there is biliary obstruction, the infection may persist, leading to repeated episodes of fever. Each episode can last from one to two days to several days. Recurrent fever often indicates inadequate control of infection and suggests the need for timely adjustment of the treatment plan.

5. Continued vigilance after fever subsides: Even if body temperature returns to normal through treatment, there remains a risk of disease recurrence. In some patients, the infection within the biliary tract may not have been completely eradicated. Premature discontinuation of treatment may lead to relapse and subsequent recurrence of fever.

In daily life, it is important to maintain a light diet and avoid high-fat or spicy foods that may irritate the biliary tract. When fever is accompanied by right upper abdominal pain, prompt medical evaluation is necessary to identify the underlying cause and prevent treatment delays. During treatment, medications should be taken in full doses and for the complete prescribed duration according to medical advice to ensure thorough control of the infection.