Herziene NHG-standaard ‘Kinderen met koorts’

• Fever in children is usually caused by benign viral infection.
• Approximately 1-10% of children with fever has or develops a serious infection such as pneumonia, meningitis or pyelonephritis.
• It is more important to timely recognize symptoms that may indicate a potentially serious disease course than to make an exact diagnosis.
• Children < 3 months are at greater risk for a serious disease course.
• During follow-up it is important to provide parents with proper advice on the expected disease course and who they should contact, and when, in cases of deterioration or concern.
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen should only be given when there is a combination of fever and pain. Combating fever is not an end in itself.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.