The word febris is from Proto-Italic *feɣʷris, from Proto-Indo-European *dʰegʷʰris (which is an extension of the root *dʰegʷʰ- meaning “to burn, warm”).

In those temples, people wore protective amulets against diseases, especially malaria at the time.

[5][14] The Ancient Greeks under Roman rule may have worshipped a similar fever god named Pyretos[1] (Πυρετός,[note 2] lit.

[5][15] Febris might have been worshipped in the Medieval-era Christian Rome disguised under the name Madonna delle Febbri (or della Febbre)[5] as one of her temples is known to be converted into a church.

[2] Febris was included as a character in the Italian poet Angelo Poliziano's Latin work In Albieram Albitiam puellam formosissimam morientem.

[15] Febris appears to a dying young woman named Albiera degli Albizzi.

Despite never being physically described previously, Poliziano depicted Febris holding a torch in one hand and a snowball in the other, in a chariot drawn by monster-like lions which was accompanied by a train of monsters.