Search results
97.9°F to 100.2°F
- In children, the average temperature ranges between 97.9°F to 100.2°F (36.6°C to 37.9°C) when measured rectally, which is the primary recommended method until age 3.
www.healthline.com/health/what-is-normal-body-temperature
People also ask
How long does a high temperature last in a child?
What is a normal body temperature for a child?
What temperature should a child's fever be?
What age can a child take a thermometer?
Can a child have a fever?
How do I know if my child has a high temperature?
A normal temperature in babies and children can vary slightly from child to child. 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.
- Dehydration
have a high temperature; take medicines that make you pee...
- Dehydration
- 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.
Jan 8, 2024 · Information and helpful advice on fever / high temperature in children. Identify the symptoms and treatment through our Symptom Checker.
Oct 15, 2024 · Sometimes the upper range of normal is considered to be 37.5°C or 37.8°C - for consistency, this article will use 38°C as the cut-off for a high temperature. This article is specifically regarding fever in children. In this article: Symptoms of fever in children. How to measure a child's temperature. When should you go to the doctor?
Tympanic (in the ear) is OK for kids 6 months and older. It's a fever when a child's temperature is at or above one of these levels: rectal (in the bottom), tympanic (in the ear), or temporal artery (across the forehead): 100.4°F (38°C) oral (in the mouth): 100°F (37.8°C) axillary (under the arm): 99°F (37.2°C)
Nov 11, 2022 · 3 months to 4 years. In this age range you can use a digital thermometer to take a rectal or an armpit temperature or you can use a temporal artery thermometer. However, wait until your baby is at least 6 months old to use a digital ear thermometer.
Normal body temperature is higher in preschool-aged children and highest at about 18 to 24 months of age. However, despite these variations, most doctors define fever as a temperature of 100.4° F (about 38° C) or higher when measured with a rectal thermometer (see How to Take A Child's Temperature).
