Some people, like the elderly, infants under 90 days of age, those with compromised immune systems, or persons who take steroids, for example are often unable to build a response to illness or environmental conditions. These individuals may not have a fever when they are ill, or their elevated temperature may be lower than expected for the severity of their illness. Other medications such as
The presence or absence of fever should rarely be used as the only measurement of the significance of illness. Your physician should be contacted whenever there is a question about your family’s health.
Antipyretics, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, are usually recom- mended to relieve the aches and associated symptoms of fever, not the fever itself. Febrile seizures, or convulsions, which usually occur in children six months to six years of age, are thought to occur not because a fever is present, but because of the rate of rise of the child’s temperature. Call your physician if your child has a febrile seizure or you desire further information.
Use of the Braun ThermoScan thermometer is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your physician.
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