The ferrum phosphricum person will experience a lower fever and is more alert than one who needs belladonna but less upset and fearful than one who needs aconite. Where a patient with the belladonna profile may have a face that is flushed all over with fever, the ferrum phos. patient has clearly defined pink or red patches on the cheeks. The ferrum phos. patient is not focused solely on his or her discomfort and may have conversations with others as if he or she were not ill.

Other characteristics of ferrum phos. patients include a tendency to tire easily. They are nervous, sensitive people, disturbed by anxiety-provoking dreams. They may be restless sleepers, even though their illnesses are often brought on by overexertion. In addition, ferrum phos. patients often bleed easily; they are more prone to nosebleeds or minor bleeding from the gums at the onset of an illness. If they cough up mucus, it is likely to be streaked with blood.