Fear of fever (febriphobia)

Febriphobia is a fear of fever, most often seen in parents who become very anxious when a child has a high temperature. It can mean checking a thermometer again and again, getting up through the night to check, or rushing for help over a mild rise. Any real concern about a fever, in a child or an adult, should be checked with a GP or NHS 111.

About this phobia

The name comes from the Latin febris, meaning fever. Unlike many terms on phobia lists, the idea behind it is discussed in children’s health writing, where it is often called fever phobia. It sits close to health anxiety and to a more general fear of illness.

What it feels like

• Checking a child’s temperature far more often than advised
• Panic at the first sign of a warm forehead or flushed cheeks
• Finding it hard to sleep or relax while anyone at home is unwell

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

Common questions

How do I know if my worry about fever has gone too far?

Clear guidance on when to seek help for a fever is available from the NHS and your GP, and it is always right to ask if you are unsure. Febriphobia is about worry that stays high even when that advice says a fever is mild. If the worry is taking over family life, it is worth raising that with a GP too.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

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