symptoms in infants and children
children s health issues
Fever in Infants and Children
For acute fever, doctors test for infectious causes according to the age of the child. They thoroughly evaluate children who are under 3 years of age, even those who do not look very ill and those who seem to have a source of infection (for example, an Acute Middle Ear Infection in Children ). Doctors need to rule out a serious bacterial infection, such as Children in this age group who have a fever are hospitalized for testing and treatment because their risk of having a serious infection is high. Testing typically includes blood and urine tests, a Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture), and sometimes a Children with fever in this age group who look ill(that is, who have an abnormal cry, lethargy, or other unusual behavior) or who have risk factors for a serious bacterial infection (that is, who have severe birth defects, were preterm, or are unvaccinated) should be hospitalized. These children undergo blood tests, urine tests, a chest x-ray, and a spinal tap to look for bacteremia, urinary tract infections, and meningitis. Children with fever in this age group who look wellalso undergo blood and urine tests, but might not have a spinal tap. They are sometimes not admitted to the hospital. Children in this age group who have a fever but look well and can be watched closely may not need tests, especially if doctors find a source of the fever. If symptoms suggest a specific infection, doctors do the appropriate tests. If children have no symptoms suggesting a specific disorder but look ill, have risk factors for a serious bacterial infection, or have a temperature of 102.2° F [39° C] or higher), blood and urine tests are usually done. Sometimes a spinal tap is done. The need for hospitalization depends on how well or ill children look, the results of any tests done, and whether a follow-up examination can be done in a timely fashion. Children in this age group do not typically undergo tests unless they have specific symptoms suggesting a serious disorder or if no source of the fever can be found. 