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Fever is usually a sign of illness, infection, or other conditions. The normal oral temperature for adults is about 98.6° F (37° C). The normal oral temperature for a child is between 97.6° and 99.3° F (36.4° and 37.4° C). The normal oral temperature for older persons is 98.2° F (36.8° C).
Normal body temperature ranges from 97.5°F to 99.5°F (36.4°C to 37.4°C). It tends to be lower in the morning and higher in the evening. Most healthcare providers consider a fever to be 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. A person with a temperature of 99.6 °F to 100.3°F has a low-grade fever.
Temperatures taken from the armpit are usually the least accurate. For older children and adults, oral readings are usually accurate — as long as the mouth is closed while the thermometer is in place.
In most adults, an oral or axillary temperature above 37.6°C (99.7°F) or a rectal or ear temperature above 38.1°C (100.6°F) is considered a fever. A child has a fever when his or her rectal temperature is 38°C (100.4°F) or higher or armpit (axillary) temperature is 37.6°C (99.7°F) or higher.
The medical community generally defines a fever as a body temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. A body temp between 100.4 and 102.2 degree is usually considered a low – grade fever.
A factor that needs to be considered is how you took your temperature. If you measured your temperature under your armpit, then 99°F or higher indicates a fever. Temperature measured rectally or in the ear is a fever at 100.4°F (38°C) or greater. An oral temperature of 100°F (37.8° C) or more is a fever.
You probably always heard that the average human body temperature is 98.6 F. But the reality is that a ” normal ” body temperature can fall within a wide range, from 97 F to 99 F. It’s usually lower in the morning and goes up during the day.
An adult probably has a fever when the temperature is above 99°F to 99.5°F (37.2°C to 37.5°C), depending on the time of day.
Do not take an oral temperature if the person has a stuffy nose. Use the rectum or armpit. Do not smoke or eat/drink anything hot or cold for 10 minutes before taking an oral temperature. When you call the doctor, report the actual reading on the thermometer, and say where the temperature was taken.
Oral temperature Place the thermometer tip under your tongue. Close your mouth around the thermometer for the recommended amount of time or until the thermometer beep indicates it’s done. Remove the thermometer and read the number.
Oral (by mouth) temperature Oral (by mouth) is the most common method of taking a temperature. For you to get an accurate reading, the person must be able to breathe through their nose. If they can’t, then use the rectum, ear, or armpit to take the temperature.
Advertisement. The following thermometer readings generally indicate a fever: Rectal, ear or temporal artery temperature of 100.4 (38 C) or higher. Oral temperature of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher.
Normal temperature in adults A normal adult body temperature, when taken orally, can range from 97.6–99.6°F, though different sources may give slightly different figures. In adults, the following temperatures suggest that someone has a fever: at least 100.4°F (38°C) is a fever. above 103.1°F (39.5°C) is a high fever.
Checking for a fever without a thermometer Touching the forehead. Touching a person’s forehead with the back of the hand is a common method of telling whether or not they have a fever. Pinching the hand. Looking for flushing in the cheeks. Checking urine color. Looking for other symptoms.