Search results
- A normal temperature for adults is in the range of 97 F to 99 F, and for children it is 95.9 F to 99.5 F. (Photo Credit: E+ / Getty Images)
People also ask
What is a normal body temperature for a child?
What is a normal body temperature?
What temperature should a child have a fever?
How long does a high temperature last in a child?
What is a good temperature for a fever?
What is a normal forehead temperature for a child?
You may have a high temperature if: your chest or back feel hotter than usual. you have other symptoms, such as shivering (chills), sweating or warm, red skin (this may be harder to see on black or brown skin) a thermometer says your temperature is 38C or above.
- In Children
A high temperature is 38C or more. If your child has a high...
- Paracetamol
Paracetamol for adults - Brand names: Disprol, Hedex,...
- In Children
- 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.
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.
Apr 23, 2024 · If you’re measuring with an oral thermometer, the normal range for children’s temperatures is 95.9 F to 99.5 F. So 96 F would be within the normal range for a child.
Most healthy children and adults can tolerate a fever as high as 39.4°C (103°F) to 40°C (104°F) for short periods of time without problems. Children tend to have higher fevers than adults. The degree of fever may not show how serious the illness is. With a minor illness, such as a cold, you may have a fever.
A temperature of 38C or more is usually considered a high temperature (fever) and 35C or less is usually considered a very temperature. A high or a low temperature can tell us something is wrong and it’s important to get help. How to measure your temperature. You can use a no-touch, no-contact thermometer.
Jan 8, 2024 · When should I worry and what should I do? Call 999 or go to A&E now if your child: Becomes pale, mottled, and feels abnormally cold to touch. Is going blue around the lips. Severe breathing difficulty – too breathless to talk or eat/drink. Has a fit or seizure.
