Fever is often blunted or absent in the elderly
Institutional-acquired pneumonia
- 20% blunted or absent fever
Community acquired pneumonia
- up to 57% blunted or absent fever
The mean rectal “fever” in an acute care geriatric unit was ward 38.1 C (100.6 F)
Only 8% had a rectal temp. > 38.5 C (101.3 F)