But normal body temperature can range between 97 F Your body temperature can vary depending on how active you are or the time of day. Generally, older people have lower body temperatures than younger people have. When you or your child is sick, the main goal is to relieve discomfort and promote rest. Treating a fever neither shortens nor particularly prolongs the course of an illness.
Children with relatively high fevers may not look or act particularly sick. Treating a fever depends on the degree of discomfort. If your child is uncomfortable or restless, these home care strategies may help:. If your baby is less than 3 months old and has a fever, it's important to get medical help immediately. Adults with fevers of F The main goal of treatment is to relieve discomfort and help you get rest.
Seek emergency medical care if your child has a fever after being left in a hot car or involved in another such potentially dangerous situation and shows any of these warning signs:. Because of the potential for mercury exposure or ingestion, glass mercury thermometers have been phased out and are no longer recommended. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. What is a normal body temperature range?
Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Symptoms of a fever Summary We include products we think are useful for our readers. Normal body temperature chart. Normal temperature in adults. Share on Pinterest A body temperature over Normal temperature in children. Normal temperature in babies. When to see a doctor. Share on Pinterest A high temperature is a common symptom of short-term illnesses. How to take your temperature. What causes body temperature to change?
Share on Pinterest Shivering occurs to help warm the body up. Symptoms of a fever. Read the article in Spanish. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. Your body temperature can move up and down and all around, but it usually stays within a certain window.
It often rises from childhood into adulthood before dipping during the later years in life. By stages, it looks like this with all temperatures for an oral reading. A part of your brain called the hypothalamus is responsible for this. When you get too cold, it signals your body to preserve heat by shrinking your blood vessels, and to produce heat by shivering.
And when you get too hot, it signals your body to make sweat to cool off. Ford says. As for that gray area in between a fever and the high end of a healthy temperature? Ford explains. If a low body temperature is your only symptom, it is not something to worry about. If a low body temperature occurs with other symptoms, such as chills, shaking, breathing problems, or confusion, then this may be a sign of more serious illness. Low body temperature usually happens from being out in cold weather.
But it may also be caused by alcohol or drug use, going into shock , or certain disorders such as diabetes or low thyroid. A low body temperature may occur with an infection. This is most common in newborns, older adults, or people who are frail. A very bad infection, such as sepsis , may also cause an abnormal low body temperature.
Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to control its own temperature and body temperature keeps rising. Symptoms of heatstroke include mental changes such as confusion, delirium, or unconsciousness and skin that is red, hot, and dry, even under the armpits. Heatstroke can be deadly. It needs emergency medical treatment. It causes severe dehydration and can cause body organs to stop working.
Take your temperature a few times when you are well. This will help you find out what is normal for you. Check your temperature in both the morning and evening. Body temperature can vary by as much as 0. Glass thermometers that contain mercury are not recommended. If you have a glass thermometer, contact your local health unit to find out how to dispose of it safely. If you break a glass thermometer, call your local poison control centre right away.
Before you take a temperature, read the instructions for how to use your type of thermometer. Some common ways to take a temperature are described below. Oral by mouth is the most common method of taking a temperature. This method can be used for children who are older than 5 years of age. For you to get an accurate reading, the person must be able to breathe through his or her nose.
If this is not possible, use the rectum, ear, or armpit to take the temperature. This is the most accurate way to measure body temperature. It is recommended for babies , small children, and people who can't hold a thermometer safely in their mouths. Use a rectal thermometer only if you are comfortable doing so.
It is also used when it is very important to get the most accurate reading. Do not use a thermometer to take an oral temperature after it has been used to take a rectal temperature. Taking a temperature in the armpit may not be as accurate as taking an oral or rectal temperature. This method is recommended for children older than 2 years.
Ear thermometers may need to be cleaned before they are used. Taking an oral temperature causes only mild discomfort. You have to keep the thermometer under your tongue and hold it in place with your lips.
Taking a rectal temperature can cause a little discomfort, but it should not be painful. Taking an ear temperature causes little or no discomfort. The probe is not inserted very far into the ear, and it gives a reading in only a few seconds. Taking an armpit temperature does not cause any discomfort.
There is very little chance of a problem from taking a temperature. When taking a rectal temperature, do not push the thermometer in more than 1. Pushing it farther can be painful and may damage the rectum. If you tell your doctor about your temperature reading, be sure to say where it was taken: in the mouth, rectum, armpit, or ear.
But that may not be normal for you. Your temperature also changes during the day. It is usually lowest in the early morning. It may rise as much as 0. Your temperature may also rise by 0.
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