Fever – Infants 0-90 days
We follow the generally accepted policy that infants under 3 months of age with a fever of 100.4° or greater should be evaluated in Bethel for severe bacterial infection and sepsis work up as appropriate. The CHA’s are not allowed to give infants less than 3 months of age antibiotics in the village without a physician’s order, and these infants should be evaluated in Bethel before being started on any antibiotic therapy.
Infants with fevers 100.4° or greater that have a normal exam and are clinically stable do not need to be medevaced, but they do need to come to Bethel on the first plane in the morning.
Infants with fever who appear ill, have respiratory distress, or are toxic in appearance should have a medevac arranged, and IM ceftriaxone should be given in the village if any delay is expected. A blood culture should be obtained prior to Ceftriaxone if the patient is in a SRC. Our guideline on management of fever in infants better details our usual management style.
If you have questions upon starting at YKHC, feel free to consult a pediatrician.
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