Febrile Child

Fever without focus (FWF) is a common symptom in children for which parents seek health care consultation. It can be secondary to benign or serious causes. A pediatrician should be able to discriminate the benign from the serious causes by identifying the red flag signs. A systematic approach using detailed history, careful examination and laboratory tests is essential for early recognition, timely management and prompt referral to any emergency department. At the same time, benign cases require parental reassurance, symptomatic treatment and appropriate follow-up advice, taking care to avoid unnecessary investigations and antimicrobials.