The safest way to know if you have a fever is to use the thermometer to measure the temperature, and not rely on just placing your hand on the forehead or the nape of the neck, for example.
When using the mercury thermometer, which is the most common, a fever should be considered when the temperature in the armpit is 37.8 ° C. Since the temperature of 37.5 ° C is easily reached when it is very hot or the person has many layers of clothing, for example.
In cases where the temperature is higher than 39 ° C, it is recommended to go to the emergency room immediately, as high fever can lead to convulsions or endanger the person's life.
How to Measure Body Temperature
To measure body temperature you can use:
- Mercury thermometer: just place the metallic tip in the armpit, in direct contact with the skin and wait at least 3 minutes to check for fever;
- Digital thermometer: Aim the tip of the thermometer to the forehead or into the ear, after the beep it will show the temperature;
- Soft-tip thermometer: Insert the metal tip into the baby's or an infant's anus while it is still and wait at least 3 minutes to check for fever.
The best thermometer is the soft tip because it can be inserted into the anus, this being the correct body temperature, since the skin cools faster. The variation can reach 1ºC.
How many degrees is adult fever?
The normal body temperature varies between 35.4ºC and 37.2ºC, however, it can vary in situations of influenza or infection, such as pneumonia, for example. The main variations in body temperature include:
- Slightly increased or subfebrile temperature: between 37.4 ° C and 38 ° C. In these cases, usually other symptoms appear, such as chills, tremors or redness of the face and the first layer of clothing should be removed, take a bath of warm water or drink water;
- Fever: temperature above 38.1 ° C. In the case of the adult, it is recommended to take a 1000 mg Paracetamol tablet, to keep only one layer of clothing and to put cold compresses on the forehead. If the temperature does not decrease after 3 hours, go to the ER;
- High fever : temperature above 41 ° C should be considered a medical emergency and therefore the person should always be evaluated by a physician.
In addition, the temperature may also be lower than normal, ie less than 35.4 ° C. This usually happens when the person is exposed to the cold for a long time. In these cases, one should try to remove the source from the cold and wear several layers of clothing, drink hot tea or warm the house, for example.
How to measure fever in baby
The body temperature in the baby should be measured with the thermometer, as in the adult, and preference should be given to the more comfortable and fast thermometers, such as digital or infrared.
However, the ideal place to assess your baby's temperature more accurately is the anus, and in these cases you should use the soft-tipped digital thermometer so you do not hurt your baby.
What temperature is a baby fever?
The body temperature of the baby is different from the adult, and the normal temperature is between 36ºC and 37ºC, and the value of the thermometer should be evaluated as follows:
- High temperature: between 37.1ºC and 37.5ºC. In these cases, one should remove a layer of clothing to the baby and give a bath of warm water;
- Fever: anal temperature above 37.8 ° C. In these cases, parents should consult their pediatrician to advise the use of fever remedies or the need to take the baby to the emergency room;
- Low body temperature (hypothermia) : less than 35.5ºC. In these cases, one should dress another layer of clothing to the baby and avoid drafts. If the temperature does not increase in the next 30 minutes, the baby should be taken to the emergency room.
Variations in temperature in the baby are not always due to illness or infection, and may vary due to the amount of clothing worn, the birth of teeth, reaction of some vaccine or due to the temperature of the environment, for example.
Check how to identify the cause of the fever in the baby and lower the temperature naturally.
How much to take medicine to lower the fever
Removing excess clothing and taking a warm shower is a good way to lower body temperature, but when that is not enough, your doctor may recommend taking an antipyretic to lower the fever. The most indicated medicine is Paracetamol, which can be taken up to 3 times a day. See other medicines to lower the fever.
When measuring the temperature
Body temperature should be measured at rest and never immediately after physical activity or after a bath because the value may not be real. Therefore, in these cases, you should rest in a cool and airy place for about 15 to 30 minutes before using the thermometer.
