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NICE Guidance
Conditions and diseases
Infections
Feverish illness
Fever in under 5s: assessment and initial management
Clinical guideline [CG160]
Published date:
May 2013
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Cost Saving Guidance
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Forehead chemical thermometers are unreliable and should not be used by healthcare professionals.
Do not do
May 2013
Unclassified
Children with symptoms and signs suggesting pneumonia who are not admitted to hospital should not routinely have a chest X-ray.
Do not do
May 2013
Unclassified
Do not prescribe oral antibiotics to children with fever without apparent source
Do not do
May 2013
Unclassified
Do not routinely perform blood tests and chest X-rays in children with fever who have no features of serious illness (that is, the 'green' group).
Do not do
May 2013
Unclassified
Antipyretic agents do not prevent febrile convulsions and should not be used specifically for this purpose.
Do not do
May 2013
Unclassified
Tepid sponging is not recommended for the treatment of fever.
Do not do
May 2013
Unclassified
Children with fever should not be underdressed or over-wrapped.
Do not do
May 2013
Unclassified
Do not use antipyretic agents with the sole aim of reducing body temperature in children with fever.
Do not do
May 2013
Unclassified
When using paracetamol or ibuprofen in children with fever, do not give both agents simultaneously.
Do not do
May 2013
Unclassified
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