If you want to measure fever, you should know that the temperature is not the same everywhere on the body. The body core temperature is therefore around 37 degrees Celsius, but it can also be 28 degrees on the feet and hands. That’s perfectly normal.
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When do you speak of fever?
- Normal temperature : Between 36.5 and 37.4 degrees Celsius
- Elevated temperature or slight fever: between 38.1 and 38.5 degrees Celsius
- Medium fever: Between 38.6 and 39 degrees Celsius
- High fever: from 39 degrees Celsius. From 42 degrees at the latest it can be life-threatening.
Measure fever correctly
The rectal measurement provides the most meaningful result when measuring fever . The second best method is taking the fever under the tongue. The accuracy of the measurement hardly deviates by more than 0.5 degrees there. However, you should not have eaten anything cold or hot before measuring. This can falsify the result.
Readings taken under the armpit, in the ear and on the forehead are also inaccurate. These values can deviate by up to two degrees.
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Which thermometer should you use?
Digital thermometer
Most people have a digital thermometer at home. It is suitable for measurements under the tongue, under the armpits and in the rectal area. The measurement often only takes a few seconds. A beep indicates that the measurement has been taken.
Glass thermometer
A glass thermometer has more minutes measuring time than e.g. B. a digital thermometer. They are also very sensitive and are therefore rarely bought.
Infrared
thermometer The temperature in the ear or on the forehead is measured using infrared. However, this method is very inaccurate, which is why it is not recommended. However, if e.g. B. the child does not keep still when measuring, give a first indication of fever, but not the exact temperature.
Fever measurements in the Corona crisis
The sole measurement of fever, also prophylactic, will not clearly confirm an infection with the corona virus. More reliable symptoms include a sore throat and severe coughing.
