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This pearl is dedicated to Dr. Michael Rolnick....
Infections That Cause Temperature-PulseDissociation
Certain infections may cause temperature-pulse dissociation (relative bradycardia in association with fever).
Remember that normally there will be an increase in pulse rate by 10 bpm for every 1 degree increase in temperature. So, if a patient has a temperature of 103 F, expect them to be tachycardic.
Any intracellular organism has the potential to cause a relative bradycardia (Faget's sign)
Infections that cause dissociation:
- Salmonella typhi
- C burnetii (agent of Q fever)
- Chlamydia infections
- Dengue fever