Gastrointestinal Syndromes General Considerations Classification The principal symptoms of infections involving the gastrointestinal tract are diarrhea, vomiting, acute abdominal pain, and jaundice. Often, these symptoms occur in combinations, but the…

Rash Syndromes Introduction Rashes in children are often caused by a systemic infection and are frequently associated with fever. The same pathologic process that is producing the skin eruption can…

Fever and Shock Syndromes General concepts Definitions Despite its frequency, there is no generally accepted definition of fever. A practical definition is a temperature above 38°C (100.4°F) by mouth or…

Neurologic Syndromes General Acute infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is the most likely cause of a febrile illness with manifestations of CNS involvement (Table 9-1). Stiff neck or…

Middle Respiratory Syndromes General Concepts The middle respiratory tract can be defined as the area from the top of the larynx to the bronchioles. Pharyngitis and other upper respiratory infections…

Pneumonia Syndromes General Concepts and Methods Pneumonia should be suspected when there is a history of cough, fever, and difficult or rapid breathing. Physical findings such as inspiratory crackles, decreased…

Face and Neck Syndromes Cervical Adenitis and Adenopathy Cervical adenitis is defined as enlarged, tender lymph nodes in the neck. Unilateral acute cervical adenitis is usually caused by a pyogenic…

Eye, Ear, and Sinus Syndromes Acute Otitis Media Otitis media is best considered a disease of eustachian tube dysfunction. The bacteria trapped in the middle ear represent the nasopharyngeal flora….

Mouth and Salivary Gland Syndromes Gingivitis, Stomatitis, and Dental Infections Definitions Inflammatory disease of the oral cavity should be diagnosed first in terms of the anatomic area involved, and then…