The Febrile Child Flashcards
What are the signs and symptoms of Kawasaki’s Disease?
Fever lasting over 5 days and 4/5 of the following signs;
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
- Bilateral non-purulent conjunctival infection
- Mucosal changes e.g. strawberry tongue/red cracked lips
- Red rash
- Peripheral skin changes e.g. redness, oedema and then peeling skin from the hands or feet from the tips downward
What are the signs and symptoms of Kawasaki’s Disease?
Fever lasting over 5 days and 4/5 of the following signs;
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
- Bilateral non-purulent conjunctival infection
- Mucosal changes e.g. strawberry tongue/red cracked lips
- Red rash
- Peripheral skin changes e.g. redness, oedema and then peeling skin from the hands or feet from the tips downward
When searching for the source of an infection how would you screen for; a CNS infection - what questions would you ask?
- Do bright lights seem to bother the child?
- Are they moving normally?
- Are they irritable or unsettled?
- Do you think they are in pain?
- Does their cry sound normal, or is it high pitched?
When searching for the source of an infection how would you screen for; an ENT infection - what questions would you ask?
- Have they been pulling at their ears?
- Have they been struggling to swallow?
- Have they got nasal discharge?
When searching for the source of an infection how would you screen for; a respiratory tract infection - what questions would you ask?
- Do they have a cough?
- Have they had noisy breathing?
- Are they struggling to breathe?
When searching for the source of an infection how would you screen for; an abdominal infection - what questions would you ask?
- Have they had any abdominal pains?
- Is their abdomen distended?
- Have they had a change in bowel habits - diarrhoea, constipation, blood or mucus?
When searching for the source of an infection how would you screen for; a UTI- what questions would you ask?
- Are they passing urine?
- Is their urine smelly or discoloured?
- Do they seem to be in pain when passing urine?
When searching for the source of an infection how would you screen for; generalised infective signs - what questions would you ask?
- Have you (as the parent) noticed any rash?
- Have you noticed a change in colour/complexion?
- How much have they eaten/drank in the last 24 hours?
When searching for the source of an infection how would you screen for; a joints or bone infection - what questions would you ask?
- Have you (as the parent) noticed any joint swelling, redness, pain or reduced movement?
List the NICE guidelines signs and symptoms (10) of serious illness in a child under 5.
- Pale/mottled/ashen/blue skin, lips or tongue
- No response to social cues
- Appears ill to a healthcare professional
- Does not wake or if they do rouse they do not stay awake
- Weak, high-pitched or continuous cry
- Grunting
- RR >60
- Moderate or severe chest indrawing
- Reduced skin turgor
- Bulging fontanelle
What temperature in a child under 3 months is very worrying?
Over 38°C
What temperature in a child 3-6 months is very worrying?
39°C
What 4 signs would lead you to be highly suspicious of meningococcal disease in a child with fever and a non-blanching rash?
- They look very ill
- Lesions are >2mm in diameter (purpura)
- CRT 3 seconds or more
- Neck stiffness
What 4 signs would make you highly suspicious of bacterial meningitis in a child with fever?
- Neck stiffness
- Bulging fontanelle
- Decreased level of consciousness
- Convulsive status epilepticus
How does an infant (younger than 1 year) present with bacterial meningitis?
They can present very non-specifically, this means they may not have any neck stiffness, bulging fontanelle or high-pitched cry.
They will always have a fever.
What 3 signs would make you highly suspicious of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE) in a child with a fever?
- Focal neurological signs
- Focal seizures
- Decreased level of consciousness
What 6 signs would make you highly suspicious of pneumonia in a child with a fever?
- Tachypnoea (RR >60 in 0-5 months; RR >50 in 6-12 months; RR>40 in 12months
What infection should you always consider in a child presenting with a fever who is under 3 months old?
UTI
What 6 signs would make you highly suspicious of UTI in a child over 3 months with a fever?
- Vomiting
- Poor feeding
- Lethargy
- Irritability
- Abdominal pains/tenderness
- Urinary frequency or dysuria
What 3 signs would make you highly suspicious of septic arthritis/osteomyelitis in a child with a fever?
- Swelling of a limb or joint
- Not using an extremity
- Non-weight bearing