Fever: knowledge, perception and attitudes. Results from a Norwegian population study.
To investigate the layman's knowledge, perception and attitudes regarding normal body temperature, fever, infections and the effect of penicillin on virus infections a representative sample of the Norwegian population (619 women and 592 men over the age of 15) was interviewed in 1988 as part of a monthly national opinion poll. One-third thought body temperatures up to 40.5 degrees C to be life-threatening, but the results do not justify the application of the term 'fever phobia' as described in other studies based on non-representative samples. More respondents were afraid of viral infections (48%) than bacterial infections (9%), which may be due to the media focus upon the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Thirty-five per cent believed penicillin to be effective against virus infections. Educational programmes on fever should also include information about virus infections and their treatment.
Eskerud
J R
JR
Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Norway.
Hoftvedt
B O
BO
Laerum
E
E
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001831:Body Temperature; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010406:Penicillins