Metal fume fever, often unrecognized

• Published in: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde Vol. 156; no. 32; p. A4171
• Main Authors: Kooistra, Jelmer, de Hosson, Sander M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Dutch
• Published: Netherlands 2012
• Subjects: Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational - adverse effects; Diagnosis, Differential; Fever - chemically induced; Fever - diagnosis; Humans; Male; Metals - adverse effects; Occupational Diseases - chemically induced; Occupational Diseases - diagnosis; Steel - adverse effects; Ventilation; Welding
• ISSN: 0028-2162; 1876-8784

Metal fume fever is an occupational disease caused by inhalation of volatile metal oxides. Clinically there is a strong resemblance to influenza. It is thought that metal fume fever occurs much more frequently than it is reported. The symptoms are self-limiting without treatment, disappearing within 24-48 hours without residual symptoms.
A male 35-year-old construction worker had cut galvanized steel plates in a closed environment. He had a flu-like illness with fever, leucocytosis and hypoxemia. The symptoms resolved completely without treatment within 18 hours.
Metal fume fever is a frequently occurring disease but is often overlooked. It is important to ask about exposure to metal fumes in certain occupational groups in order to make the correct diagnosis. In this way measures can be taken to avoid exposure to metal oxides and to prevent recurrence of the disease.