Final answer:
Briefly, postoperative fevers are commonly caused by the five W's: Wind, Water, Wound, Walking, and Wonder drugs. These fevers can also result from various infections, including pneumonia and necrotizing fasciitis, necessitating accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Causes of Postoperative Fevers:
The five W's that can cause postoperative fevers are Wind, Water, Wound, Walking (Deep Vein Thrombosis), and Wonder drugs. While these are common causes, postoperative fevers can also result from pneumonia, and skin infections like necrotizing fasciitis, pharyngitis, scarlet fever, impetigo, and botulinum poisoning. Nosocomial and opportunistic infections are another important category.
Fever is a systemic sign of inflammation, with inflammatory signs including erythema (redness), edema (swelling), heat, pain, and altered function. It often indicates an innate immune response to infection or injury and serves to stimulate immune defenses. Bacterial infections are a frequent cause of postop fevers and may spread quickly, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment selection to address the specific causative agents effectively.