What is the initial treatment for postoperative fever (infectious or non-infectious)?

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Fever after surgery is managed first by ensuring the patient is adequately hydrated and hemodynamically stable. Fluid therapy addresses common postoperative issues such as volume depletion from blood loss, third-spacing, or poor intake, and it improves tissue perfusion and organ function while you evaluate the cause of fever. This approach buys time to perform the appropriate diagnostic workup (cultures, imaging, labs) and to determine whether infection is present, without immediately jumping to antibiotics or more invasive measures. Starting antibiotics right away isn’t appropriate unless there’s clear evidence of sepsis or a strong suspicion of bacterial infection, because overuse can cause adverse effects and resistance. Relying on antipyretics alone may help comfort but does not address potential volume issues or the underlying cause. Returning to the operating room is reserved for a specific surgical complication requiring urgent intervention, not as a blanket initial step for postoperative fever. So, initial fluid therapy provides foundational stabilization that applies whether the fever is from infection or a non-infectious inflammatory response.