General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
Ibuprofen and ketoprofen are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, or NSAIDs. Relieving fever or pain with them does not mean treating the cause of an infection.
Health authorities advise avoiding NSAIDs when infection is present. They can mask fever or pain, delay appropriate care and contribute to serious infectious complications.
Before self-medicating, describe your symptoms to a pharmacist and disclose all your treatments. They can check contraindications and explain when medical assessment is needed, beyond how painful the symptoms feel.
If an NSAID is prescribed as a long-term treatment, do not stop it on your own. Contact the doctor following your treatment if fever or infection raises questions about what to do.
If you take an NSAID during an infection and symptoms persist or worsen, consult a doctor immediately. Temporary pain relief does not establish that the infection is under control.
Prepare the product name, when you started taking it and how symptoms have changed. Ask for instructions suited to your circumstances rather than combine anti-inflammatory medicines or reuse an old box.
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