Woman who survived coronavirus shares her early symptoms
Body Temperature Isn't A Set Number - Here's What's Considered Normal And What's A Fever
For over a century, normal human body temperature has been considered 98.6°F (37°C). This number was established in 1871 by German physician Carl Wunderlich, who determined the average by testing millions of patients with what was a new instrument at the time: the thermometer.
Since then, however, researchers have observed that normal body temperature varies from person to person and depends on gender, age, and time of day, among other factors.
Here's what you need to know about your body temperature, when it's considered a higher than normal, and how to take it properly.
A normal body temperature can range from 97°F to 99°FThe truth is, there is no one exact "normal" body temperature, and depending on your age, the time of day, and how active you are, it's more accurate to describe a normal body temperature as a range.
"Temperature can vary between individuals, where some members of a family are consistently warmer than others," says Charles Brantly, MD at Central Health. "This is not necessarily a bad thing. The normal range for the vast majority of people is between 97°F (36.1°C) and 99°F (37.2°C)."
While normal body temperatures for adults range between 97°F and 99°F, the spectrum is slightly different for children and older adults.
"On average, children tend to be slightly warmer than adults, and those over [the age of] 65 are cooler," says Brantly. "This is generally a reflection of a faster metabolism in those of a younger age … Exercise, hydration status, and clothing will all affect your day time temperature as well."
Other factors that may affect your body temperatureWhile core body temperature for men and women is roughly the same, women generally have a lower skin temperature because of their higher percentage of body fat. Brantly says that women can also have varying temperatures during their monthly menstrual cycle.
Chawapon Kidhirunkul, MD at BDMS Wellness Clinic, also says that time of day can impact your temperature. "Our temperature drops at night during sleep and increases over the day," Kidhirunkul says. "The lowest temperature is at around 4 a.M., and the highest peak at 5 p.M."
This rise in temperature is due to increased cortisol - the stress hormone - in the body as we move through the day. Kidhirunkul adds that another factor can be food, which usually increases body temperature slightly after a meal.
So the next time you reach for a thermometer, keep in mind that it is natural for your temperature to fluctuate between 97°F and 99°F, depending on your particular circumstances.
What temperature indicates a feverHigh body temperature is one of the first symptoms of illness, and a fever is an indication that your body is fighting off an infection, like the flu virus. According to Cleveland Clinic, temperatures above 100.4°F are considered a fever for adults.
But for children, Cleveland Clinic says fever indications can vary depending on how you take the reading:
Fevers are often associated with other symptoms like chills, headaches, tiredness, body aches, and sweating.
If you're feeling feverish, Brantly advises measuring your temperature and recording it several times a day, as thermometers aren't always accurate and your temperature may rise and fall throughout the day.
While most fevers usually resolve themselves within a week, there are certain steps you can take to relieve discomfort, such as staying hydrated, dressing in lightweight clothing, and getting plenty of rest.
Fever is also a common symptom of the coronavirus. If you think you may have a fever associated with other symptoms of coronavirus, follow the CDC guidelines for taking care of yourself and preventing the spread of the virus.
How to take your temperatureThere are several options when taking your temperature, such as armpit, forehead, mouth, ear, and rectal methods, according to Kidhirunkul.
For the most inexpensive and easiest ways to get a temperature reading, a digital thermometer can take a temperature three ways:
The most common and easiest method of taking your temperature is in the mouth, however, Kidhirunkul says rectal temperatures are the most accurate. When it comes to a professional setting, Brantly notes that most hospitals and clinics rely on ear thermometers, though these are more expensive.
Can Thermal Cameras Help Spot Coronavirus?
A thermal imaging camera in use at a train station in Bilbao, May 2020
As lockdowns ease, thermal imaging cameras are popping up in all sorts of public places to assess the state of people's health.
What do thermal imaging cameras do?
Using infrared technology, thermal cameras detect radiating heat from a body - usually from the forehead - and then estimate core body temperature. These cameras are an extremely powerful tool, often deployed by fire fighters to track smouldering embers and police to search for out-of-sight suspects.
But they are not designed to be medical devices. So how useful are they in the current pandemic?
They can give a reasonable measure of skin temperature, to within half a degree - but that's not the same as body temperature.
"These devices, in general, are less accurate than medical device thermometers like those you stick in the ear," says Derek Hill, professor of medical imaging science from University College London.
What is normal body temperature?
About 37C (98.6F). A high temperature is usually considered to be 38C or over. But normal temperature can vary from person to person and change during the day. It can also fluctuate during a woman's monthly cycle.
Taking an accurate reading of core body temperature isn't easy. Although it can be measured on the forehead, in the mouth, the ear and the armpit, the most accurate way is to take a rectal reading.
Do thermal cameras detect coronavirus?
No, they only measure temperature. A high temperature or fever is just one common symptom of the virus. Others include nausea, headaches, fatigue and loss of taste or smell. But not everyone with the virus gets a high temperature and not everyone with a high temperature is infected with coronavirus.
So thermal cameras alone will miss infected people with other symptoms or no symptoms at all - known as false negatives. They will also identify people unwell with a fever for another reason - known as false positives.
So are thermal cameras useful?
On its own, temperature screening "may not be very effective" says the World Health Organization. Cameras have to be set up correctly and take account of ambient temperature. A risk is that cameras can lull operators into a false sense of security.
"They are… only one tool among many," says James Ferryman, professor of computational vision, from the University of Reading.
What if I'm wearing a face mask or covering?
"Heat radiating from the skin will likely be impacted by wearing face masks," says Prof Ferryman.
That's why most temperature measurements are based on the forehead, which is usually exposed.
Will I be hotter if I've been exercising?
Not necessarily. Skin temperature actually goes down during exercise as sweat appears on the surface of the skin.
The body is pretty good at regulating its temperature even after exercise, so it would have to be really quite high to show up.
How else can my temperature be taken?
With portable thermometers pointed at foreheads. They don't need to touch the skin, but do need to be within a few centimetres of it. While accurate to a fraction of a degree on skin temperature, they correctly detect fever about 90% of the time compared with a rectal thermometer, Prof Hill says.
Where can I expect to be temperature tested?
Schools are deploying hand-held laser thermometers to check children each morning. And some employers are looking at introducing staff-testing in workplaces.
Digital thermometers are being used in schools to check children
At work, do I have to submit to a temperature test?
Under UK employment law, individuals must agree before an employer can temperature-screen members of staff. Some work contracts will already allow for this type of test to be carried out, by so-called "implied consent".
Will thermal cameras help to end the lockdown?
Commuters could be asked to check for fever
How can I tell if I've got Covid?
How To Take Your Temperature In 5 Different Ways — And Which Is Most Accurate To Detect A Fever
Although you probably only take your temperature when you're not feeling well, it may also be helpful to take it on a regular basis. This will make you aware of your normal body temperature and better able to determine when you have a fever, which is usually a warning sign of an infection or illness.
Your body temperature changes throughout the day. It's usually lower in the morning and highest in the late afternoon and evening. For consistency, you should take your temperature at the same time every day. Wait for 30 minutes to take your temperature after eating, drinking, or exercising.
When taking your temperature, it's important to always use a digital thermometer instead of a glass one because of the potential for exposure to toxic mercury if the glass breaks. Because of this danger, the sale of mercury thermometers has even been banned in some states.
Still, there are many different ways to take your temperature with a digital thermometer. Here's how to do it:
OralOral digital thermometers use electronic heat sensors to measure your body temperature. Taking your temperature orally is the most effective method for adults, according to internal medicine specialist Michelle N. Brooks, MD, an assistant professor and academic hospitalist at VCU Health.
Oral thermometers can also be used for children over the age of 4 who are able to keep their mouth closed while their temperature is being taken, so that the reading is accurate.
To take your temperature orally, do the following:
Ear thermometers, also known as tympanic thermometers, measure the infrared heat waves from the eardrum. They can be used for infants older than 6 months, children, and adults. They aren't recommended for younger infants because their ear canals are too small for an accurate reading.
If you or your child has an earache, you should use the ear thermometer in the other ear to prevent further pain and because inflammation from an ear infection may result in a slightly higher temperature reading.
Follow these steps to take your ear temperature:
These thermometers, also called temporal artery thermometers, measure infrared heat waves coming from the blood vessel located under the skin across your forehead. They can be used for infants older than 3 months, children, and adults.
However, the temperature reading can be affected by direct sunlight or cold outdoor temperatures. A small 2014 study of 100 adult patients in an emergency department also found that for 47 patients who had fevers, 57% of the fevers were recorded by an oral thermometer but not by a forehead thermometer.
To use a forehead thermometer, do the following:
"For newborns and infants, we typically take rectal temperatures," says Monique May, MD, a family physician based in Charlotte, NC. Rectal thermometers are recommended for children under 3 years old by the American Academy of Pediatrics because they take the most accurate readings.
Be sure to use a different digital thermometer for taking temperatures orally.
To use a rectal thermometer on your baby, do the following:
This temperature is less accurate than an oral or rectal temperature. It can be taken for children and adults by using a digital thermometer.
To take an armpit temperature, do the following:
It's important to always clean your thermometer after using it to prevent spreading germs, especially if you may be sick.
Be sure to first check the manufacturer's instructions, but most digital thermometers can be disinfected by either using rubbing alcohol that's at least 60% alcohol to kill bacteria, or a bleach or alcohol wipe.
To clean an oral or rectal digital thermometer, do the following:
To clean an ear or forehead thermometer, do the following:
If your baby is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, get medical help immediately. For children or adults, you should see a doctor if your temperature is above 104°F. You should also see a doctor if your child shows any symptoms of dehydration, such as having a dry diaper for over eight hours or crying without tears.
You should also see a doctor if you or a child has any of the following symptoms along with the fever, which could indicate a serious health problem like pneumonia or meningitis:
A fever will usually go away on its own after one to three days. If it persists for more than a week, May says you should see a doctor. Your child should see a doctor if their fever lasts for more than five days.
Insider's takeawayIt's important to know how to take your temperature in order to check for a fever. For children under three years old, it's most accurate to use a rectal thermometer. Everyone else should use an oral thermometer for the most accurate results.
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