Differential Diagnosis

Pneumonia, pulmonary emboli, atelectasis, tuberculosis, sinusitis, otitis media, URTI, CNS infections, UTI, cystitis, pyelonephritis, wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess, pancreatitis, alcohol withdrawal, pelvic infection, cellulitis, joint infection, osteomyelitis, thrombophebitis, DVT, drug reaction, transfusion reaction. hepatitis, infected decubitus ulcer, peritonitis, endocarditis, diverticulitis, cholangitis, carcinomas. Medications associated with fever - H2 blockers, penicillins, phenytoins and sulfonamides.

• Antibiotics should be initiated if there is any possibility of infection
• Atelectasis is the most common cause of fever less than 48 hrs after operation, physiotherapy and incentive spirometry is important for prevention.
• IV catheter infection (central or peripheral) is an important source of postoperative sepsis. (see section on iv lines and catheter sepsis)