ABSTRACT
In a child who has a persistent or recurrent fever, other conditions need to be considered and extensive investigations are sometimes required to identify the cause. A careful history and examination will help direct investigations. New symptoms or signs may develop with time, giving further clues to the underlying cause, so repeated clinical assessment is vital. In general, antibiotic treatment should be withheld until the diagnosis has been established, but this is clearly inappropriate in a sick or deteriorating child.
