Specific Management: Sepsis
Assessment of the child with a feverish illness should include a documentation of the presence/absence of markers that signify a risk of serious illness (NICE guideline provides information). [13]
The child should have a risk assessment i.e. red, amber, green and a paediatric early warning score based on the vital signs recorded in the ED notes.
Consider sepsis as a cause if:
- Reduced consciousness
- Abnormal vital signs, and
- A temperature of greater than 38oC if age is <3 months
- A temperature of less than 35.5oC
Investigation of the febrile child without a source for infection is required for children who score amber or red as per the NICE traffic light system for serious illness and for all children under 3 months of age.