Fever

From IDWiki

Background

Definition

  • Fever is a core body temperature ≥38ºC that occurs as a part of a febrile response (compared to hyperthermia which may be from any cause)

Differential Diagnosis

Diagnosis Clinical Clues
Infection Leukocytosis, sepsis, increasing oxygen requirements, altered mentation
Venous thromboemoblism Swollen, tender arm or leg, increasing oxygen requirements
Drug-related No improvement on antibiotics, compatible medication exposure
Post-surgical Recent surgery, rule out surgical site infection
Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity Tachycardia, tachypnea, dystonic posturing, episodic, associated with stimulation, traumatic brain injury
Neurogenic fever No other cause identified, hypothalamic injury, subarachnoid or intraventricular hemorrhage, recurrent, no improvement with treatment