metal fume fever

metal

 [met´'l]

any chemical element marked by luster, malleability, ductility, and conductivity of electricity and heat, and which will ionize positively in solution. adj., adj metal´lic.

alkali metal one of a group of monovalent elements including lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium.

metal fume fever an occupational disorder with malaria-like symptoms occurring in those engaged in welding and other metallic operations and due to the volatilized metals. It includes brassfounder's fever (brass chill, brazier's chill) and spelter's fever (zinc chill, zinc fume fever).

heavy metal one with a high specific gravity, usually defined to be above 5.0.

heavy metal poisoning poisoning with any of the heavy metals, particularly antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, thallium, or zinc.

noble metal a metal that is highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

brass found·er's fe·ver

an occupational disease, characterized by malarialike symptoms, due to inhalation of particles and fumes of metallic oxides. Fumes are formed by evaporation at high temperature and condensation in air into fine particles.

Synonym(s): foundryman's fever, metal fume fever, zinc fume fever

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

metal fume fever

An acute, self-limited influenza-like illness due to occupational exposure to metal (zinc, copper, magnesium) dust or fumes, often inhaled as a sulfide ore (CuS, Cu2S, CuFeS2, Cu3FS3).
 
Clinical findings
Several hours after exposure, cough, dry throat, tightness in chest, chills and fever, then sweating, weakness, nausea, myalgia, upper respiratory tract irritation, leukocytosis.

At-risk occupations
Mining, welding, brass foundry work.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

metal fume fever

Occupational medicine An acute self-limited influenza-like illness due to occupational exposure to metal–zinc, copper, magnesium–dust or fumes, often inhaled as a sulfide ore At risk occupations Mining, welding, brass foundry work, due to metal fume exposure Clinical Several hrs after exposure, cough, dry throat, tightness in chest, chills, fever, then sweating, weakness, nausea, then recovery; other Sx: myalgia, upper respiratory tract irritation, leukocytosis. Cf 'Monday death. '.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

met·al fume fe·ver

(me'tăl fyūm fē'ver)

An occupational disorder caused by the inhalation of fumes or metallic oxides; characterized by symptoms similar to influenzas. The condition occurs among workers engaged in welding, metal fabrication, casting, and other metal-working tasks. Fresh air and treatment of symptoms usually alleviate the conditions.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012