Fever in children

Our normal body temperature is between 36.5C and 37.5C. The body’s temperature is usually a little lower in the morning and a little higher in the evening. The body temperature can also fluctuate as kids play, run around and exercise.

The body has a thermostat that regulates our body temperature. Fever occurs when the body’s internal “thermostat” raises the body temperature above its normal level. This thermostat is found in the part of the brain called hypothalamus. 

Researchers believe that turning up the heat is the body’s way of fighting the germs that cause infections and making the body less comfortable for them. That is why many doctors think that fever is a good thing as it means that your body’s immune system is fighting the infection or other illnesses.

Confirmation of fever in children

Use a reliable thermometer to confirm a fever (which is when a child’s temperature is at or above one of these levels):

38C measured rectally (in the bottom)

37.5C measured orally (in the mouth)

37C measured in an axillary position (under the arm)

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Your child is human too

“So often, children are punished for being human. They are not allowed to have grumpy moods, bad days, disrespectful tones, or bad attitudes. Yet, we adults have them all the time. None of us are perfect. We must stop holding our children to a higher standard of perfection than we can attain ourselves.” https://www.mother.ly/child/your-child-is-human-too

Fever Temperatures: Accuracy and Comparison

You can take a temperature using the mouth (oral), anus (rectal), armpit (axillary), or ear (tympanic). But the temperature readings vary depending on which one you use, and you need an accurate body temperature to determine if a fever is present. Medical research hasn't determined an exact correlation between oral, rectal, ear, armpit, and forehead temperature measurements. When you talk with your doctor about your temperature, be sure to say what method was used to take the temperature. Generally, the correlation of temperature results are as follows: The average normal oral temperature is 37°C. A rectal temperature is 0.3°C to 0.6°C higher than an oral temperature. An ear (tympanic) temperature is 0.3°C to 0.6°C higher than an oral temperature. An armpit (axillary) temperature is usually 0.3°C to 0.6°C lower than an oral temperature. A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.3°C to 0.6°C lower than an oral temperature. Source: www.webmd.com

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