Feverish illness in children.

Essential facts Fever is an elevation of body temperature above the normal daily variation. Feverish illness is common in young children, and up to 40 per cent of parents report such an illness each year. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says it usually indicates an underlying infection. In most cases recovery is quick without medical intervention. But fever can be the presenting feature of serious bacterial illness such as meningitis, septicaemia or pneumonia. It can be difficult for healthcare staff to distinguish between minor virus infections and life-threatening bacterial infections in children.