What Is Normal Body Temperature?
2. How Is Temperature Measured?
There are four primary ways to measure your temperature. Thermometers can provide an ear, armpit, oral, temporal, or rectal temperature reading. These four types of thermometers can all produce a slightly different temperature, so it’s important to review a healthy range of readings for your chosen thermometer. Don’t let a minor fever concern you, but carefully monitor it for signs of an increasing temperature or other signs of an infection.
For infants, rectal temperature readings are the most accurate. With children aged three months to 4 years, caretakers should use a rectal, armpit or ear reading, while children 4 to 5 years can use any of the four common thermometer options. Adults should use oral, armpit or ear thermometers. When in doubt, try a different temperature measuring option to verify that your temperature is within a healthy range.
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