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An increase in body temperature is one of the primary indicators of an infection. The appearance of a fever is a symptom that may indicate a COVID-19 infection. How to measure the temperature correctly?
What is normal body temperature?
Correctly determining body temperature is not as obvious as it may seem. It is commonly said that the temperature of 36,6 degrees Celsius is a conventional value for a healthy person. The results are now considered within the normal range od 36,4 do 37 st. C. However, it should be remembered that this applies to measurements taken with a thermometer in the armpit – the least accurate method.
We will get a more accurate measurement of the body temperature:
- in the mouth – the norm for adults is 36,8 degrees C, and deviations in the range of 36,4–37,2 degrees C are also considered correct;
- in the rectal canal – the correct temperature in this case will be around 37,1–37,6 degrees C;
- in ear – the temperature of the ear drum is often measured in children, the norm is 37,1–37,6 degrees C (we recommend the ear thermometer with the heated tip BRAUN IRT6515 Thermoscan 6).
For temperature measurement, we recommend electronic thermometers for measuring body temperature in every possible place: in the anus, armpit, in the mouth – Waterproof electronic thermometer with a flexible tip TM-CLASSIC. See the full range of thermometers available on Medonet Market at affordable prices.
High or high temperature?
Increased body temperature is not necessarily a sign of a fever. You should always take into account the daily fluctuations in body temperature, which, however, should not exceed the change by 1,3 degrees C. A low-grade fever is considered to be a body temperature not higher than 38 degrees C, but exceeding the value usually observed in a given person. It should be emphasized here that the officially reported values are averaged. For some people the natural temperature in the state of health is around 35 degrees C, for others around 37 degrees C.
The highest body temperature during the day is detected at 3 a.m. and 18 p.m. The daily temperature fluctuations are influenced by metabolic processes, hunger, stress, fatigue, and in the case of women, also by the menstrual cycle.
The fever is most often said in a situation where when the measurement result exceeds 38 degrees C.. A high fever can be considered as a result of 40 degrees C. If the body temperature exceeds 40,5 degrees C, disturbances such as loss of orientation and delirium appear. An even greater increase in temperature (approx. 41–42 degrees C) may lead to irreversible changes in the body.
To deal with a fever, use the Fever Kit: touchless thermometer + gel compress.
What mistakes do we make when measuring body temperature?
In order to correctly measure your fever, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Different methods of measuring body temperature have different effectiveness – measurement is considered to be the most accurate rectal thermometer, and the least reliable is the measurement under the armpit;
- thermometers in contact with body orifices must be disinfected after each use;
- the measurement should be performed for a sufficiently long time, depending on the type of thermometer and manufacturer’s description;
- the result obtained when measuring fever should be related to the appropriate range of standards, which depends on the method of measurement (rectal, armpit, mouth);
- the measurement result depends on age, sex, metabolism, recent physical activity, exposure to overheating or cooling, time of day, and recent medications (corticosteroids or antipyretic preparations).
This you need to know:
- Disturbing symptoms in convalescents. What to pay attention to, what to do? Doctors created a guide
- Symptoms of reduced immunity – this is how the body warns you
- COVID-19 despite vaccination – who is most at risk? A risk calculator was created
Which thermometers are the most effective?
The most effective and reliable temperature measurements are provided by thermometers that measure the body temperature, i.e. devices used orally, rectally and in the ear. Externally used thermometers (armpit, non-contact forehead thermometers) only report skin temperature. If in doubt about the result, measure the fever with at least two devices. This will make sure that any of the devices is not defective.
We recommend non-contact thermometers available on Medonet Market. You can buy at promotional prices, among others Neno Medic T02 or Neno Medic T05 non-contact thermometers with the function of measuring the temperature of the liquid.
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