Syrkin-Nikolau ME, et al. Hypothermia can also be a concern in a poorly heated house in winter, or an air-conditioned room in summer. Here’s how to tell when you need to be concerned about a fever: If your baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher, call the doctor immediately. Accessed Dec. 12, 2018. Accessed March 7, 2019. Fever. On the other hand, a low body temperature can also be cause for concern. In general, contact your child's doctor if: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Treating the cause of the fever can help your body temperature return to normal. This is because our ability to regulate body temperature decreases with age. Identifying your own normal range can make it easier to know when you have a fever. As the ranges above indicate, younger people tend to have higher average body temperatures. American Journal of Perinatology. But hypothermia can occur indoors, too. Thermometer choices got you baffled? Before and after each use, clean the tip of the thermometer following the instructions for your particular thermometer. If your child is older than age 6 months and is drinking plenty of fluids, sleeping well and continuing to play, there's usually no need to treat the fever. Your body temperature may be slightly higher or lower. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms. For adults, a body temperature that dips below 95°F (35°C) is a sign of hypothermia. For older babies, a fever can indicate any type of a virus- the … Fever. Schmitt BD. Keep in mind that an armpit temperature might not be accurate. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). If you want to give your child medication to treat a fever, stick to acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) until age 6 months. Never give more acetaminophen than recommended on the label for your child. Your body temperature might be up to 1°F (0.6°C) higher or lower than the guidelines above. Diagnosing hypothermia usually occurs based on someone’s physical signs and a standard clinical thermometer. The average body temperatures based on age are estimated as: Keep in mind that normal body temperature varies from person to person. https://patiented.solutions.aap.org/handout.aspx?resultClick=1&gbosid=166297. All rights reserved. Hold the thermometer in place until the thermometer signals that it's done. Today, mercury thermometers aren't recommended because they can break and allow mercury to vaporize and be inhaled. Read the label carefully for proper dosage. Accessed March 7, 2019. If you put your child belly down, put your hand against his or her lower back to hold the child in place. Among babies, children, and adults, the following thermometer readings are generally a sign of a fever: Research from 2000 suggests that fever thresholds for older adults might be lower, since older individuals have more difficulty conserving heat. For more severe cases, other treatments include blood rewarming and using warmed intravenous fluids. https://patiented.solutions.aap.org/handout.aspx?gbosid=166295. Your body’s ability to regulate temperature changes as you get older. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. A blood test may be used to confirm the cause of hypothermia or to look for infection. In: Pediatric Telephone Protocols: Office Version. A body temperature reading that’s above or below the average doesn’t automatically mean you’re sick.