37.8 celsius is fever

A healthy person's body temperature fluctuates between 97 °F (36.1 °C) and 100 °F (37.8 °C), with the average being 98.6 °F (37 °C). The body maintains stability within this range by balancing the heat produced by the metabolism with the heat lost to the environment. The "thermostat" that controls this process is located in the hypothalamus, a small structure located deep within the brain. The nervous system constantly relays information about the body's temperature to the thermostat, which in turn activates different physical responses designed to cool or warm the body, depending on the circumstances. These responses include: decreasing or increasing the flow of blood from the body's core, where it is warmed, to the surface, where it is cooled; slowing down or speeding up the rate at which the body turns food into energy (metabolic rate); inducing shivering, which generates heat through muscle contraction; and inducing sweating, which cools the body through evaporation. A fever occurs when the thermostat resets at a higher temperature, primarily in response to an infection. To reach the higher temperature, the body moves blood to the warmer interior, increases the metabolic rate, and induces shivering. The "chills" that often accompany a fever are caused by the movement of blood to the body's core, leaving the surface and extremities cold. Once the higher temperature is achieved, the shivering and chills stop. When the infection has been overcome or drugs such as Fever is...

Fever - Myths Versus Facts Print version of this article Many parents have false beliefs (myths) about fever. They think fever will hurt their child. They worry and lose sleep when their child has a fever. This is called fever phobia. In fact, fevers are harmless and often helpful. Let these facts help you better understand fever. MYTH.My child feels warm, so she has a fever. FACT. Children can feel warm for a many reasons. Examples are playing hard, crying, getting out of a warm bed or hot weather. They are "giving off heat." Their skin temperature should return to normal in about 20 minutes. About 80% of children who act sick and feel warm do have a fever. If you want to be sure, take the temperature. These are the cutoffs for fever using different types of thermometers: • Rectal (bottom), ear or forehead temperature: 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher • Oral (mouth) temperature: 100° F (37.8° C) or higher • Under the arm (Armpit) temperature: 99° F (37.2° C) or higher MYTH.All fevers are bad for children. FACT. Fevers turn on the body's immune system. They help the body fight infection. Normal fevers between 100° and 104° F (37.8° - 40° C) are good for sick children. MYTH. Fevers above 104° F (40° C) are dangerous. They can cause brain damage. FACT. Fevers with infections don't cause brain damage. Only temperatures above 108° F (42° C) can cause brain damage. It's very rare for the body temperature to climb this high. It only happens if the air temperature is very high. An ex...

A child with a fever can be scary in normal times. These days, it’s especially so. Here are some steps to take when it happens, and how to know when a fever is too high for a child. Is it really a fever? First, make sure it’s really a fever. As with adults, a child’s normal temperature isn’t as steady as the usual guidance of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 Celsius) suggests. A range of 97 to 99 degrees is more typical of normal temperatures. What constitutes a fever in a child depends on how the temperature was taken. • Orally: 100 F (37.8 C) • Rectally: 100.4 F (38 C) • Under the arm: 99 F (37.2 C) More important than the number, though: How is your child acting? If When to get medical help If the fever isn’t responding to treatment, contact your pediatrician immediately. Any fever in an infant 2 months or younger needs to be treated as an emergency. Get medical help promptly if your child is at high risk of serious complications from a virus, has difficulty breathing or you feel like they need emergency care. Never attempt to use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to bring down a fever. It is absorbed through the skin quickly and could be inhaled, possibly causing alcohol poisoning. Ice baths can backfire as the body reacts to the rapid cold by increasing the internal temperature. A lukewarm bath or compress can provide temporary relief from a fever. Age Temperature Other symptoms What to do 2 months or younger 100.4 F or higher rectally Seek emergency care. 3 to 6 month...

Is this your child's symptom? • An abnormal high body temperature • Fever is the only symptom. Your child has a true fever if: • Rectal (Bottom), Ear or Forehead temperature: 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher • Oral (Mouth) temperature: 100° F (37.8° C) or higher • Under the arm (Armpit) temperature: 99° F (37.2° C) or higher • Caution: Ear temperatures are not accurate before 6 months of age • Caution: Forehead temperatures must be digital. Forehead strips are not accurate. Causes of Fever • Overview. Almost all fevers are caused by a new infection. Viruses cause 10 times more infections than bacteria. The number of germs that cause an infection are in the hundreds. Only a few common ones will be listed. • Viral Infections. Colds, flu and other viral infections are the most common cause. Fever may be the only symptom for the first 24 hours. The start of viral symptoms (runny nose, cough, loose stools) is often delayed. Roseola is the most extreme example. Fever may be the only symptom for 3 to 5 days. Then a rash appears. • Bacterial Infections. A bladder infection is the most common cause of silent fever in girls. • Sinus Infection. This is a problem caused by a cold. The main symptom is the return of fever after it has been gone for a few days. The sinus congestion also changes to sinus pain. Color of nasal discharge is not very helpful for making this diagnosis. • Vaccine Fever. Fever with most vaccines begins within 12 hours. It lasts 2 to 3 days. This is normal and harmle...

A Working with data gathered from the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app, the TwinsUK cohort and two hospital cohorts, the team found that basal body temperature was lower in older people and those with a lower body mass index (BMI). Older people with COVID-19 were also less likely to have a fever reaching 37.8°C or more, with the chances dropping by 1% with every additional year of age. The research suggests that COVID cases in elderly people, the most at risk group, might be missed as fever temperatures in older people are often lower than the 37.8°C threshold. The average human body temperature is around 36.5-37.5°C, although this is known to vary with the time of day and how it’s measured. This paper shows that temperature regulation also changes with age and body mass, with older and thinner people usually having a slightly lower temperature and finding it harder to stay warm. Fever (a raised temperature) is a common symptom of COVID-19, affecting more than two thirds of people with the disease. Current health guidelines advise that anyone with a temperature of 37.8°C or more should be considered to be potentially infected with COVID-19 and should self-isolate. To find out more about the relationship between temperature and age, the researchers analysed data from four different groups: 1,089 adult twins without COVID-19, 1,284 people hospitalised with COVID-19 in London (520) and Birmingham (764), 3,967 users of the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app with confirmed COVID-19. Based ...

A fever is a rise in body temperature. It's usually a sign of infection. The fever itself is generally harmless and probably helpful. Fevers usually don't need treatment. The average body temperature is 98.6 F (37 C). But normal body temperature can range between 97 F (36.1 C) and 99 F (37.2 C) or more. Your body temperature can vary depending on how active you are or the time of day. Generally, older people have lower body temperatures than younger people have. The following thermometer readings generally indicate a fever: • Rectal, ear or temporal artery temperature of 100.4 (38 C) or higher • Oral temperature of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher • Armpit temperature of 99 F (37.2 C) or higher Should I treat a fever? When you or your child is sick, the main goal is to relieve discomfort and promote rest. Treating a fever neither shortens nor particularly prolongs the course of an illness. Treating fever in a child Children with relatively high fevers may not look or act particularly sick. Treating a fever depends on the degree of discomfort. If your child is uncomfortable or restless, these home care strategies may help: • Encourage your child to drink fluids • Dress your child in lightweight clothing. • Use a light blanket if your child feels chilled, until the chills end. • Don't give aspirin to children or teenagers. • Don't give an infant any type of pain reliever until after you've contacted a doctor and your child has been evaluated. • If your child is 6 months old or older...

Also seek emergency medical help for any of the following: • A fever combined with a stiff neck or headache • Temperature above 105 F • Fever with sudden onset of 1. Take Temperature • Temperature can be taken orally, rectally, or under the • A person is typically considered feverish if oral temperature is above 100 F (37.8 C) or rectal temperature is above 99.5 F (37.5 C). Temperatures measured under the armpit are not considered as accurate and can be as much as 1 degree F lower than an oral measurement. • A temperature above normal but below 100.4 F (38 C) is sometimes considered a low-grade or mild fever. It may mean that the body is responding to an infection. 2. Treat Fever, if Necessary No treatment is necessary for a mild fever unless the person is uncomfortable. If the fever is 102 or higher: • Give an over-the-counter medicine such as Warning: Do NOT give • Bathing or sponging in lukewarm water may bring the temperature down. Do not use cold water or alcohol. • Have the person wear light clothing and use a light cover or sheet -- overdressing can make body temperature go up. If the person gets chills, use an extra blanket until they go away. 3. Give Liquids • Have the person drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. 4. When to Contact a Doctor Seek medical help immediately if the person has: • A history of serious illness such as AIDS, heart disease, • A • Been exposed to extremely hot weather and feels hot but is not • A stiff neck, is confused, or has trouble st...

Overview 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. Generally, the correlation of temperature results are as follows: • The average normal oral temperature is 98.6 °F (37 °C). • A rectal temperature is 0.5 °F (0.3 °C) to 1 °F (0.6 °C) higher than an oral temperature. • An ear (tympanic) temperature is 0.5 °F (0.3 °C) to 1 °F (0.6 °C) higher than an oral temperature. • An armpit (axillary) temperature is usually 0.5 °F (0.3 °C) to 1 °F (0.6 °C) lower than an oral temperature. • A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.5 °F (0.3 °C) to 1 °F (0.6 °C) lower than an oral temperature. It is important to remember: • Rectal temperatures are generally thought to be the most accurate for checking a young child's temperature. • The manufacturer of the temperature device you use, such as an ear or forehead thermometer, provides information on how to use it. Be sure to read and follow the instructions to obtain an accurate temperature. The information may also include how the results of the device correlate with the results from other methods of taking a temperature. • Plastic strip thermometers have some uses, but they aren't recommended for general home...