What's the Connection between Fever and Atraumatic Leg Pain?

​BY ADRIANA PORTO, MD; KELLY LEVASSEUR, DO; & SHANNA JONES, MDA 7-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with intermittent low-grade fever over the previous six days. She also had a sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion. Her mother reported a fever of 105°F with vomiting, cough, and congestion on the day of her presentation. She also noted that the patient complained of right leg pain and refused to walk or bear weight on her right leg, which was new the day of presentation. The patient pointed to the back of her right calf when asked where the pain was located. Her mother said the patient did not have any history of trauma or falls and no abdominal pain or diarrhea.She had been alternating ibuprofen and acetaminophen for fever control, and gave the patient an over-the-counter decongestant that day for her congestion and cough. The patient had no sick contacts at home, medical problems, or previous surgeries, and her immunizations were up-to-date. The patient was visiting family from out of state.The 7-year-old was alert, interactive, and well-appearing. Her blood pressure was 103/56 mm Hg, heart rate was 130 bpm, oral temperature was 103.8°F (39.9°C), respiration rate was 24 bpm, weight was 23.9 kg, and pulse oximetry was 96% on room air. Her head, eyes, ear, nose, and throat exam revealed normal-appearing conjunctiva, erythema with dullness of the right tympanic membrane, clear rhinorrhea with nasal congestion, and mucous membranes that were moist w...
Source: The Case Files - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: research