Feverish illness in childre Flashcards
Feverish illness in children
what about it
Is the most common reason for children to be taken to the doctor
Is a cause of concern for parents and carers
Can be a result of a simple self-limiting infection or a life-threatening infection
Can have no apparent source
Feverish illness in children: information
Feverish illness in young children usually indicates an underlying infection and is a cause of concern for parents and carers. Feverish illness is very common in young children, with between 20 and 40% of parents reporting such an illness each year. As a result, fever is probably the commonest reason for a child to be taken to the doctor. Feverish illness is also the second most common reason for a child being admitted to hospital. Despite advances in healthcare, infections remain the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5 years.
Fever in young children can be a diagnostic challenge for healthcare professionals because it is often difficult to identify the cause. In most cases, the illness is due to a self-limiting viral infection. However, fever may also be the presenting feature of serious bacterial infections such as meningitis or pneumonia. A significant number of children have no obvious cause of fever despite careful assessment. These children with fever without apparent source are of particular concern to healthcare professionals because it is especially difficult to distinguish between simple viral illnesses and life-threatening bacterial infections in this group. As a result, there is a perceived need to improve the recognition, assessment and immediate treatment of feverish illnesses in children
NICE guideline fever in under 5’s 2013
The Traffic Light System
Tool for identifying the likelihood of serious illness
Children with only symptoms and signs in the ‘green’ column are at low risk
Children with one or more symptom or sign in the ‘amber’ column are at intermediate risk
Children with one or more symptom or sign in the ‘red’ column are at high risk
The Traffic Light System
information
The Traffic Light System is a tool for prioritising children with fever by the presence of certain symptoms. Depending on the potential seriousness of the presenting features, clinicians can make an informed decision on the most appropriate course of action.
If the symptoms and/or signs suggest an immediately life-threatening illness refer immediately to emergency medical care.
Where all features are in the ‘green’ category, the risk of serious illness is low and home care is appropriate.
If one or more ‘amber’ feature is present but no ‘red’ features, the child is at intermediate risk.
If there are any ‘red’ features present the child is a high risk of serious illness.
The categories and features contained within the traffic light system run throughout the guideline but the actions suggested differ according to the setting in which it is used.
Clinical assessment
Check for any immediately life-threatening features.
Use traffic light system to check for symptoms and signs that predict the risk of serious illness.
Measure and record temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, capillary refill time and assess for dehydration.
