Fever/Seizures Flashcards
What is considered a fever?
100.4
What causes a fever? What influences severity?
- Hypothalamus creating new set point of body temperature due to pyrogenic cytokines by pathogens
- May not be directly proportional to severity of illness ie children greater response than adults
- Geriatrics, neonates, and patients taking NSAIds may have normal or below normal temperature
What is the average normal body temperature
98
What is the most accurate way to take a temperature?
- Core ie bladder, esophageal, pulmonary arterial catheter, rectal
- Most taken orally, rectal and tympanic are .5 C (.9F) higher (take a degree off the orifices)
- Axillary and forehead temps are .5 C (.9F lower –> outside air bringing temp down a bit)
What differential should be considered for fever in the adult?
- Localized bacterial or viral infection
- Sepsis
- Hyperthermia
- Serotonin syndrome
- Neuroleptic malignant hyperthermia
- Fever of unknown origin
If a patient has hyperthermia, what medication will they not respond to?
Antipyretics
skin hot and dry
What are causes of hyperthermia
- Environmental exposure
- Metabolic heat production due to dysfunction in thermoregulation (thyroid storm, medication induced)
What is serotonin syndrome
Reaction to drugs that increase serotonin (SSRI/SNRI, MAOIs, TCAs)
What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
- Lethal reaction to neuroleptic medications (ex haloperidol and fluphenazine)
- Associated with muscular rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction
What is a fever of unknown origin?
Fever over 100.9 on multiple occasions over 3 weeks without a diagnosis made
What are etiologies of fever of unknown origin?
- Autoimmune disorders
- Vasculitis
- SLE
- Infections (TB)
- Malignancy (leukemia, lymphoma)
- Thyroid storm
- Lyme disease
If a patient has a history of ill contact exposure, what is a likely cause of fever?
Viral illness
If a patient has history of travel with a fever, what is a likely cause?
- Dengue fever
- Malaria
- TB
- Typhoid
If a patient has injection drug use in their history, what causes of fever should be considered
- Endocarditis
- Spinal epidural abscess
- Osteomyelitis
- Cutaneous abscess
- Cellulitis…
If a patient has a history of consititutional symptoms: weight loss, night sweats, etc. what should you consider as a cause of fever?
- Cancers
- TB
Which medications could cause fever in adults?
- Penicillins
- Cephalosporins
- Carbapenems
- Allopurinol
What are signs of hemodynamic instability on physical exam?
- Fever with
- Low BP
- Tachycardia
- Hypoxia
- Cool clammy
- Flushed face
- Hot, dry skin
What are common causes of systemic infection?
- Pneumonia and UTI
- If suspicion for PNA with normal CXR get CT
- Don’t wait for hours on urine, get a straight cath
What is criteria for SIRS?
- HR >90
- Resp >20
- Temp <96.8 or >100.4
What is criteria for sepsis?
SIRS + source of infection
What is criteria for severe sepsis? Septic shock?
- Severe sepsis: sepsis + organ dysfunction
- Septic shock: persistent hypotension after bolus and lactate >4.0
What are general measures to manage fever?
- Cold or alcohol compresses
- Ice bags
- Ice water enema
- Ice baths
- Administer antipyretics around clock to avoid chills/sweats
What antipyretics can be given for fever?
- Acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen
When would you avoid ibuprofen?
If GI upset/hx of gastric ulcers
If <6 months old
What antipyretic should be avoided in pediatrics <18 yo?
Aspirin due to Reye’s syndrome risk
If the temperature remains uncontrolled after administration of acetaminophen/ibuprofen what can you do?
Alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen every 3 hours early in course of fever if temperature remains uncontrolled
When would you consider empiric antimicrobials for fever in adult
- Neutropenia or expected neutropenia in next few days
- Hemodynamically unstable
- Asplenic: surgical or secondary to sickle cell
- Immunosuppression ie HIV or immunosuppressive meds (corticosteroids, azathioprine, cyclosporine, chemo, DMARDs, immunosuppressive agents (mabs))
When would you admit a fever?
- Concomitant vital sign abnormalities
- Evidence of end-organ damage when sepsis suspected or confirmed
- Temperature >105.8 F
- Associated seizure or other mental status change
- Underlying condition requires admission
If discharged, how soon should follow up be scheduled for fever?
24-72 hours
What is different between adults and pediatric fevers?
- Lack of mature immune system –> vague symptoms and greater risk of serious infection
What is the rectal temperature threshold at which evaluation by healthcare provider is recommended by AAPA?
- 100.4 F in children <3 months of age
- 102.2 in children 3-36 months of age
What is the most common cause of fever in infants less than 3 months of age?
Virus: Influenza A/B, Covid, RSV, HSV, Varicella, Enterovirus, adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, rubella
What bacterial pathogens commonly cause fever <3 months of age
- Group B strep
- Listeria
- E coli
- S. pneumoniae
- Treponema pallidum
What do chickenpox lesions look like?
macular rash –> vesicle –> scab in various stages of development
dewdrop on a rose petal
What does measles look like?
High fever with rash that starts at head and goes down
What does roseola look like?
Rash starts on abdomen and spreads outward
What symptoms can be signs of serious illness in infants <3 months of age
Nonspecific such as crying/irritability, poor feeding
What vital signs are normal in infant <3 months of age?
HR: 120-160 bpm
RR: 30-60 breaths/min
What are general signs of sepsis in infant <3 months of age?
- Grunting
- Respiratory distress
- Lethargy
- Irritability
- Fever or hypothermia
- Hypo or hyperglycemia
- Apnea/cyanotic spells
- Poor feeding
- Petechiae
- Unexplained jaundice
If a patient <3 months of age has a cough, tachypnea, or hypoxia what does that suggest?
Lower respiratory tract infection
If a patient <3 months of age has inconsolable crying during handling and bulging fontanelle, what does that suggest?
Meningitis
What can infant <3 months of age with vomiting and diarrhea indicate?
- Gastroenteritis
- OM
- UTI
- Meningitis
What is diagnostic evaluation for pediatric fever <3 months of age?
- Even if local source of infection suspected test for occult infectious etiology
- CBC with diff
- UA with C&S via catheter or suprapubic specimen
- Lumbar puncture: gram stain and culture, glucose, protein, cell coung with diff
- Chest x ray if tachypnea, cough, or hypoxemia
- Stool sample in infants with diarrhea
- Serum biomarkers: CRP and procalcitonin