A5V4d

Advice for home care
been put to the Delphi panel. This evidence, which is detailed in section 5.5, suggests that a duration
of fever of around 1–2 days is not predictive of serious illness. The GDG considered that it would
therefore be contradictory to advise carers to seek medical attention if the fever lasts longer than
48 hours. The statement on seeking advice if the fever lasted longer than 5 days was retained
because the GDG considered this situation to be unusual and because a fever of 5 days duration
could be a marker of Kawasaki disease or other serious illnesses such as pneumonia or urinary tract
infection (UTI).
Recommendations
Number Recommendation
84 Following contact with a healthcare professional, parents and carers who are
looking after their feverish child at home should seek further advice if:
the child has a fit
the child develops a non-blanching rash
the parent or carer feels that the child is less well than when they
previously sought advice
the parent or carer is more worried than when they previously
sought advice
the fever lasts longer than 5 days
the parent or carer is distressed, or concerned that they are unable
to look after their child. [2007]
241