Differential Diagnosis for Fever 40 deg C in a Child for 2 Days
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Viral infection (e.g., influenza, respiratory syncytial virus): This is the most common cause of high fever in children, often accompanied by other symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and sore throat.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Bacterial infection (e.g., pneumonia, urinary tract infection): Bacterial infections can cause high fever and are more likely if the child has specific symptoms such as difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, or dysuria.
- Meningitis: Although less common, meningitis is a significant concern in children with high fever, especially if accompanied by symptoms like headache, stiff neck, or altered mental status.
- Otitis media: Ear infections are common in children and can cause high fever, especially if the child is pulling at their ears or has difficulty hearing.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Sepsis: A life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention, sepsis can present with high fever, tachycardia, and tachypnea, among other symptoms.
- Meningococcemia: A severe bacterial infection that can cause high fever, rash, and shock, meningococcemia is a medical emergency.
- Kawasaki disease: An acute febrile illness that can lead to coronary artery aneurysms if not treated promptly, Kawasaki disease is characterized by fever, rash, conjunctivitis, and cervical lymphadenopathy.
Rare Diagnoses
- Leukemia or lymphoma: Although rare, these malignancies can present with persistent fever, among other symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, and bruising.
- Autoimmune disorders (e.g., juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus): These conditions can cause recurring fevers and other systemic symptoms.
- Factitious fever: A condition where the caregiver, often a parent, falsifies the child's temperature readings, which is a rare but important consideration in cases where the diagnosis is unclear.