What does 'afebrile' mean?

The term 'afebrile' refers to a state of being without fever. It is derived from the Latin roots where 'a-' means "without" and 'febris' translates to "fever." In a medical context, when a patient is described as afebrile, it indicates that their body temperature is within the normal range, suggesting that there is no active infection or illness that is causing an elevation in temperature. This term is often used by healthcare providers to assess a patient's overall health status, especially in cases where fever could be a significant indicator of an underlying condition. Understanding this terminology helps medical assistants and other professionals communicate effectively about patient assessments and care.