When do i have temperature

Babies, older adults, and people who have chronic health problems have the greatest risk of this type of heatstroke. Exertional heatstroke may happen when a person is working or exercising in a hot place.

The person may sweat a lot, but the body still makes more heat than it can lose. This causes temperature to rise to high levels. Check for a very low body temperature in people who have been exposed to cold. Check for a very high body temperature in people who have been exposed to heat. Find out how well a fever-reducing medicine is working.

Help a woman plan for pregnancy by finding out if she is ovulating. How To Prepare Take your temperature a few times when you are well. Before you take your temperature: Wait at least 20 to 30 minutes after you smoke, you eat, or you drink a hot or cold liquid. Wait at least an hour after hard exercise or a hot bath. There are different types of thermometers. Electronic thermometers are plastic and shaped like a pencil. They have a display window at one end and the temperature probe at the other end.

These thermometers can be used in the mouth, rectum, or armpit. They are easy to use and easy to read. If you buy this type of thermometer, check the package for information about its accuracy. Ear thermometers are plastic and come in different shapes. The small cone-shaped end of the thermometer is placed in the ear.

Body temperature is shown on a digital display. The results appear in seconds. Some models also show what the oral and rectal readings would be. Temporal artery thermometers have a small "cup" that is moved across the skin over the artery in the forehead.

Products for taking temporal artery temperature sweeping thermometer across your child's forehead at home have not yet been shown to be accurate or reliable enough for home use.

How It Is Done Before you take a temperature, read the instructions for how to use your type of thermometer. How to take an oral temperature Oral by mouth is the most common method of taking a temperature. Place the thermometer under the tongue, just to one side of the centre. Ask the person to close his or her lips tightly around it. Leave the thermometer in place for the required amount of time. Time yourself with a clock or watch.

Some digital thermometers give a series of short beeps when the reading is done. Remove the thermometer and read it. Clean a digital thermometer with cool, soapy water and rinse it off before you put it away. How to take a rectal temperature This is the most accurate way to measure body temperature. Apply a lubricant jelly or petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, on the bulb of the thermometer.

This will make it easy to insert. With a baby or small child, place them safely on their stomach on your lap or a comfortable surface.

If a baby is unable to safely lie on their stomach, place them on their back. Choose a quiet place so that the child won't be distracted or move around too much. Spread the child's buttocks with one hand. With the other hand, gently insert the bulb end of the thermometer into the anus. Push it in about 1. Don't force it into the rectum.

Hold the thermometer in place with two fingers close to the anus not near the end of the thermometer. Time yourself with a watch or clock. How to take an armpit axillary temperature Taking a temperature in the armpit may not be as accurate as taking an oral or rectal temperature. Place the thermometer under the arm with the bulb in the centre of the armpit. Press the arm against the body, and leave the thermometer in place for the required amount of time.

How to take an ear tympanic temperature This method is recommended for children older than 2 years. Check that the probe is clean and free of debris. If dirty, wipe it gently with a clean cloth. Do not put the thermometer underwater. To keep the probe clean, use a disposable probe cover. Use a new cover each time you take an ear temperature. Turn on the thermometer. Gently pull the earlobe back.

This will help you place the probe in the ear canal. Centre the probe tip in the ear, and push gently inward toward the eardrum. Do not force it in. Press the "on" button to display the temperature reading. Remove the thermometer, and throw away the used cover.

How It Feels Taking an oral temperature causes only mild discomfort. Risks There is very little chance of a problem from taking a temperature. Results Body temperature is a measure of your body's ability to make and get rid of heat. You can find out if you have a fever by using a thermometer to take your temperature. What causes a fever?

When to get help If any of the following applies, please contact your GP practice: you have severe thirst or reduced urine output you are passing urine that is darker than normal you are light-headed or weak you have new, severe muscle cramps your symptoms have worsened or you notice new symptoms you've had a fever after recent foreign travel If your GP practice isn't open, phone NHS 24's service.

Fever and underlying health issues Most fevers aren't in themselves life-threatening, however there are certain times where you may need to seek medical advice. If any of the following apply to you and you have a fever, please contact your GP practice immediately: You are on treatment for immune deficiency You are on immune-suppressant drugs, such as regular steroids, methotrexate, azathioprine or cyclophosphamide You are taking medication where you have been warned about a risk of a reduced immune system You are on, or recently completed, treatment for cancer, leukaemia or lymphoma You are a transplant recipient You are HIV positive Fever and your medical history If you have a fever and any of the following medical conditions you should contact your GP practice immediately.

Chronic lung disease Asthma which has been treated with medication in the last 3 years Heart disease excluding blood pressure which is currently well controlled Diabetes or another metabolic disease Chronic gastrointestinal or liver disease Chronic renal kidney disease Cystic fibrosis Neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy Sickle cell disease.

Treating a fever Most fevers will improve of their own accord in a few days. Don't over dress. Wear loose comfortable clothing and make sure the room you are in isn't too warm. You shouldn't attempt to make yourself feel cold. Drink more fluids, avoiding alcohol as this can make dehydration worse. You sweat more when you have a fever and drinking water makes sure you won't get dehydrated. You should be passing urine approximately every 6 hours. A pale yellow urine means you're unlikely to be dehydrated.

Take a medicine that reduces fever such as paracetamol unless you're allergic or have been told by a healthcare professional that you can't take it. Fever in children Fever affects people of all ages, however it often affects babies and younger children in response to minor illnesses such as: Coughs Colds Find out more about fever in children. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A fever is a temporary increase in your body temperature, often due to an illness. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Goldman L, et al. Approach to fever or suspected infection in the normal host. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed April 5, Merck Manual Professional Version. Fever in infants and children. Bennett JE, et al. Temperature regulation and the pathogenesis of fever. Elsevier; Accessed March 25, Kliegman RM, et al. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Accessed April 6, Ward MA. Fever in infants and children: Pathophysiology and management.

Schmitt BD. American Academy of Pediatrics; Marx JA, et al. Pediatric fever. Accessed May 9,