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- Normal temperature for a child is 98°F to 99°F or 37°C. The small circle (°) means “degrees.” Anything over 100.4°F or 38°C is a fever.
publications.aap.org/patiented/article/doi/10.1542/peo_document385/82076/How-to-Take-Your-Child-s-TemperatureHow to Take Your Child's Temperature | Pediatric Patient ...
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What is a normal body temperature for a child?
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How do I Check my Child's temperature if he has a fever?
A high temperature is 38C or more. If your child has a high temperature, they might: feel hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest; feel sweaty; look or feel unwell; have a seizure or fit, called a febrile seizure; Use a digital thermometer, which you can buy from pharmacies and supermarkets, to take your child's temperature.
- Dehydration
have a high temperature; take medicines that make you pee...
- Dehydration
How to take your child's temperature. Use a digital thermometer as it is easy to read and can measure your child’s temperature quickly. There are different methods to use depending on your child’s age. Make sure to read and follow the thermometer manufacturer's instructions before use.
Jan 8, 2024 · Information and helpful advice on fever / high temperature in children. Identify the symptoms and treatment through our Symptom Checker.
Apr 9, 2024 · A normal temperature is about 37°C when taken orally (by mouth). Temperatures taken rectally (by rectum) usually run 1°C higher than those taken orally. What is a fever? A fever is a body temperature which is higher than normal, (usually more than 38°C). This is a natural response and helps the body to fight against infections.
- Overview
- What’s the average person’s body temperature?
- Average temperatures by age
- How to take your temperature
- What factors can affect your temperature?
- What temperature is considered a fever?
- Fever symptoms
- Fever in children
- What are the symptoms of hypothermia?
- When to speak with your doctor
What constitutes a “normal” body temperature can vary depending on your age and other factors. Whether you take it orally, rectally, or in the armpit also can impact your temperature reading.
You may have heard that the “normal” body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). But this number is only an average. Your body temperature may be slightly higher or lower.
A body temperature reading above or below the average doesn’t automatically mean you’re sick. Several factors can influence your body temperature, including your age, sex, time of day, and activity level.
Your body’s ability to regulate temperature changes as you get older.
People over the age of 64 generally have more trouble adjusting to sudden changes in temperature as quickly as younger people. In general, older people have more difficulty conserving heat. They’re also more likely to have lower body temperatures.
Below are average body temperatures based on age, according to a review of studies and older research:
Identifying your normal range can make it easier to know when you have a fever.
There are four different ways to take your or a family member’s temperature. However, the reading can vary from one method to the next.
The chart below shows which method is recommended for each age group:
German doctor Carl Wunderlich identified the average body temperature of 98.6°F (37°C) during the 19th century. However, many studies have since determined that that isn’t always the case.
A 2019 study found that the average body temperature is 97.86°F (36.59°C). That’s a little lower than initially thought so many years ago.
However, it’s best to take this information with a grain of salt since no single number defines your average body temperature. Instead, it’s best to look at a temperature range that may be higher or lower than the average.
Here are some of the factors that affect body temperature:
•Our bodies tend to warm up throughout the day.
•Older adults have lower body temperatures since our ability to regulate body temperature lessens as we age.
A higher-than-normal thermometer reading can be a sign of a fever.
The American College of Critical Care Medicine identifies a temperature of 100.9°F (38.3°C) or higher as a fever. As mentioned previously, the exact reading is dependent upon a few factors. If your temperature’s elevated above the normal range described earlier in the article, you may have a fever.
Fevers can be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, including:
•sweating or feeling flushed
•chills
•aches and pains
•headache
•lack of appetite
With babies and younger children, it can be hard to know when to speak with a doctor. Call your pediatrician if:
•your baby is less than 3 months old and has a fever.
•your baby is between 3 months and 3 years old and has a temperature of 102°F (38.9°C).
•your child is 3 years or older and has a temperature of 103°F (39.4°C).
Seek medical care if your baby or child has a fever and:
•has difficulty breathing
Hypothermia is a serious condition that occurs when you lose too much body heat. For adults, a body temperature that dips below 95°F (35°C) is a sign of hypothermia.
Most people associate hypothermia with being outside in cold weather for long periods of time. But hypothermia can occur indoors, too.
Babies and older adults are more susceptible. For babies, hypothermia can occur when their body temperature is 97°F (36.1°C) or lower.
Hypothermia can also be a concern in a poorly heated house in winter or an air-conditioned room in summer.
Other signs and symptoms of hypothermia include:
•shivering
A fever isn’t usually a cause for concern. The fever goes away with a few days of rest most of the time.
However, seek treatment when your fever climbs too high, lasts too long, or is accompanied by more severe symptoms.
Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms. They might perform or order tests to determine the cause of the fever. Treating the cause of the fever can help your body temperature return to normal.
On the other hand, a low body temperature can also cause concern. Hypothermia can be life threatening if left untreated. Seek medical assistance as soon as you notice signs of hypothermia.
Your doctor will use a standard clinical thermometer to diagnose hypothermia and check for physical signs. In addition, they may use a low-reading rectal thermometer if needed.
In some cases, your doctor may order a blood test to confirm the cause of your hypothermia or to check for infection.
Oct 24, 2024 · Dr. Lim explains how to spot a worrisome fever in children and when to take your baby to the hospital for a fever. Child fever temperature chart. A “normal” body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or 37 degrees Celsius, but that doesn’t mean you have to hit the panic button if your child’s temperature inches above that.
When should you worry? If your child has any of the following: Is under 3 months old with temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red features) Breathing very fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink.
