The Harvard Medical School also states that fever is when a body’s temperature reaches 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher (for adults). Using a tympanic thermometer (for adults and children over 2 years old) Add these numbers to oral and axillary temperature readings for the most accurate reading. Temperatures taken under the arm usually generate results that are 0.3 to 0.4° lower. Temperature in the mouth (oral) is about 36.8°C (98.2°F) Temperature under the arm (axillary) is about 36.5°C (97.7°F) Temperature in the anus (rectum/rectal), vagina, or in the ear (otic) is about 37.5°C (99.5°F) At What Temperature … These subtleties must be kept in mind when interpreting the results of a thermometer reading. The “normal” body temperature of 98.6°F is actually not so normal. Normal body temperature and the effects of age, sex, ambient temperature and body mass index on normal oral temperature: a prospective, comparative study Int J Nurs Stud 2009 An oral thermometer is … Here's what you need to know about possible causes and when to worry. A lower-than-normal body temperature can occur due to environmental or medical conditions. The normal range discussed above refers to temperatures taken with oral thermometers. In nursing home residents, the oldest were coldest and failed to demonstrate a diurnal rise in body temperature. Oral temperature measurement is common and reliable because it is close to the sublingual artery. Searches were carried out in MEDLINE, CINAHL, and … 5 Possible Causes of Lower-Than-Normal Body Temperature | Livestrong.com Medical research … Place the thermometer tip under your tongue. New research finds that the average human body temperature of Americans has dropped. The normal oral temperature is 35.8–37.3ºC (OER #1) or 96.4–99.1ºF. If a temperature is taken rectally, the results will be about 0.5 to 0.7° higher. Normal oral, rectal, tympanic and axillary body temperature in adult men and women: a systematic literature review The purpose of this study was to investigate normal body temperature in adult men and women. What is the Normal Body Temperature for Adults? Oral and axillary temperature readings are about ½° to 1°F (.3°C to .6°C) below rectal. You'll need an oral thermometer, used in the mouth. If you've been eating or drinking, wait 30 minutes before you take a temperature by mouth. 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. Older subjects have mean oral body temperatures lower than 98.6 degrees F. Relatively few even achieve this temperature. Turn on the digital thermometer. Close your mouth around the thermometer for the recommended amount of time or until the thermometer beep indicates it's done. 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