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Jan 12, 2024 · In general, for older children (around ages 11 and up) and adults, body temperature typically falls between 97.5 and 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.4 and 37.4 degrees Celsius) [1]....
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. How to ...
Jul 4, 2021 · Sleep by age chart: How much sleep do you REALLY need? Simple guide. Normal body temperatures vary depending on a number of factors including age, sex and activity levels. Typically an adult’s...
- 2 min
Apr 23, 2024 · 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. Higher temperatures than these are fevers and are caused by the body fighting off an ...
- Overview
- Body temperature
- Normal temperature in adults
- Normal temperature in children
- Normal temperature in babies
- Normal temperatures during pregnancy
- How to take your temperature
- What to do when body temperature is too low or too high
- When to contact a doctor
- What causes body temperature to change?
The average adult body temperature is around 98.6°F (37°C), but individual baseline body temperatures can vary. Factors such as age and activity levels can affect a person’s normal body temperature.
The way of measuring temperature may also affect the reading.
Body temperature readings vary depending on where a person takes the measurements on the body. For example, rectal temperature readings are higher than oral readings, while armpit readings tend to be lower.
Body temperature readings can also vary depending on the following factors:
•a person’s age
•the time of day, typically lowest in the early morning and highest in the late afternoon
•a person’s recent activity
•food and fluid intake
According to reviews, the average adult body temperature across all different reading sites is 97.86°F (36.59°C).
Researchers also found that the average orally-taken adult body temperature falls between 97.2–98.6°F (36.24–37°C).
Average body temperature can vary across demographics. A study of almost 35,500 people found that older adults had the lowest temperatures, and African American women had higher temperatures than white men.
The researchers also found that certain medical conditions can affect body temperature. For example, people with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) tended to have lower temperatures, while people with cancer had higher temperatures.
Typically, the following temperatures suggest that someone has a fever:
•at least 100.4°F (38°C) is a fever
The average body temperature for children is around 97.52°F (36.4°C), but this can vary. As with adults, a temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) may indicate a fever in children.
Infants tend to have higher body temperatures than older children and adults. The average body temperature for newborn babies is around 99.5°F (37.5°C).
A baby’s temperature is higher because they have a larger body surface area relative to their body weight. Their bodies are also more metabolically active, which generates heat.
Babies’ bodies do not regulate temperature as well as adults’ bodies. They sweat less when it is warm, meaning their bodies hold more heat. It may also be more difficult for them to cool down during a fever.
Learn more about fever in babies here.
During pregnancy, a person’s basal metabolic rate (BMR) is higher. This means the body produces more heat.
One study found that body temperature peaks at 96–99.5°F (35.6–37.5°C) around the 12th week of pregnancy. The average body temperature reaches its lowest point of around 95.5–99.1°F (35.3–37.3°C) just after the 33rd week.
Digital thermometers
Digital thermometers are readily available and can produce accurate temperature results. A person may use these at different parts of the body. •Rectal measurement: Specialized digital rectal thermometers are a common option for taking the temperature of young children. A person should clean and lubricate the end of these devices before inserting them into the anus. The device will alert the user when it has made a reading and is safe to remove. •Oral measurement: Standard digital thermometers are simple to use orally (by mouth). First, a person must make sure the tip of the device is clean. They will then place this under their tongue toward the back of their mouth and close their lips. The device will produce a reading on an integrated display. •Axillary (armpit) measurement: A person can place a digital thermometer at their, or someone else’s, armpit. The arm must then remain tight to the body to ensure a good reading. This is a noninvasive option for taking a child’s temperature.
Infrared thermometers
Infrared thermometers can take temperature readings at a distance. However, these are not as accurate as other methods. People may use tympanic thermometers to take readings from the ear canal. To use, a person will: •insert the device’s tip into their ear •align it with their ear canal •activate the device until it produces a result Temporal thermometers use an infrared signal to measure a person’s temperature. The user will typically hold the thermometer a few centimeters from a person’s forehead and wait for the device to produce a reading. One study concluded that while forehead and ear measurements are viable, nontraumatic screening options for infants, they are still not as accurate as rectal measurements. It is important for people to always follow the instructions on the thermometer package.
If a thermometer indicates a person’s body temperature is too high or too low, they may wish to take another reading to confirm the result.
In all age ranges, a high temperature may result from short-term illnesses and usually does not cause significant harm in adults with otherwise good overall health.
If a person has a high temperature, it is important they rest and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. These at-home treatments also apply to children and babies.
In hot climates, exercise or other physical activity may cause hyperthermia — an abnormally high body temperature. Unlike infection or fever, this is typically the result of outside factors. Moving to a cooler space and taking fluids will usually remedy hyperthermia.
However, if a high temperature persists or increases, people should seek medical help.
If a person’s temperature is below 95°F (35°C) they have hypothermia and should seek medical assistance.
Adults
In many cases, a person with a fever will not require medical attention. However, if a person has a temperature of or higher, they should contact their doctor. A person should also seek medical assistance if they experience any of the following alongside a fever: •dehydration •lightheadedness •severe cramps •a persistent, or worsening fever The following people should also seek medical assistance if they experience fever: •recent transplant participants •people with compromised immune systems •those on immunosuppressants •those who have recently undergone cancer treatments If a person’s temperature is over 106.7°F (41.5°C), they have hyperpyrexia, a very high fever. This can lead to permanent organ damage and death. Hyperpyrexia requires urgent medical assistance. If a person’s body temperature is too low, they may have hypothermia. This is a medical emergency, and they should seek assistance immediately. Doctors define hypothermia as a temperature dropping below 95°F (35°C).
Children
A person should contact emergency services if a child has a temperature over 104°F (40°C). They should also seek medical help if a child has a high temperature that lasts for 5 days or more or is experiencing dehydration, vomiting, or diarrhea. If a child’s temperature drops below 95°F (35°C), medical assistance is essential.
Babies
If an infant 3 months or younger has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or above, seek emergency medical attention. In young babies, a slight fever can signal a serious infection. In babies up to 6 months of age, a temperature of 102.2°F (39°C) or more is also reason to contact emergency services. As with adults and older children, if a baby’s temperature drops below 95°F (35°C), they will require immediate emergency assistance.
An area of the brain called the hypothalamus regulates body temperature. If body temperature rises above or dips below the 98.6°F (37°C) mark, the hypothalamus works to regulate the temperature.
If the body is too cold, the hypothalamus sends signals to make the body shiver, which warms the body. If the body is too hot, it sends messages to begin sweating, letting heat leave the body.
- Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA
Jul 2, 2024 · 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.
People also ask
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What is a normal temperature for a baby?
Aug 21, 2024 · In healthy babies younger than 3 months, a fever is a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or greater. In children age 3 months to 36 months, a fever is a rectal temperature between 100.4 F and 102.2 F. In older children and adults, a fever is an oral temperature ranging from 100.0 F to 103.0 F.
