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. You can take a temperature using the mouth oral anus rectal armpit axillary or ear tympanic.
How To Get The Most Accurate Digital Thermometer Readings At Home
How accurate is armpit temp. An axillary temperature may be done to check for a fever. An axillary temperature is actually influenced by the fact that the temperature on the outer surface of the body is being measured. Fever is a word used for a temperature that is higher than normal for the body. This measurement also known as axillary temperature tends to be about half a degree to a degree below oral temperature 1. In general contact your childs doctor if. A fever may be a sign of illness infection or other conditions.
Using underarm temperature is a safe and effective way to monitor body temperature especially in younger children. If youre in doubt about an armpit temperature reading use another method to confirm the results. A normal axillary temperature is between 966 359 c and 98 f 367 c. Keep in mind that an armpit temperature might not be accurate. Well an oral temperature is actually more accurate when you compare it to the axillary temperature. Temperature taken under the arm usually is considered to be less accurate than most other body locations for measuring temperature.
Having said that if you are dealing with very small kids you are probably better off with an axillary temperature. 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. Axillary or underarm temperature reading although commonly used is the least accurate method. For anyone over three months of age an axillary reading is sufficient if done properly. However it isnt the most accurate method. Your child is younger than age 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 1004 f 38 c or higher.
For infants you should use the rectal method which is the most accurate as even a slight fever in a newborn can prove to be very dangerous. The normal axillary temperature is usually a degree lower. Medical research hasnt determined an exact correlation between. You can take a temperature using the mouth oral anus rectal armpit axillary or ear tympanic.
Gallery of How Accurate Is Armpit Temp
