Normal body temperature varies depending on many factors, including a person's age, gender, and activity levels.An adult's is around 37 ° C, but each person's base level is slightly different and can be a little higher or lower.
and liquids;How to measure the temperature
There are many types of thermometers available and the best method depends on a person's age:
Age Best method.
- 0 to 3 months: Rectal
- 3 months to 3 years: Rectal, ear or armpit
- 4-5 years: Oral, rectal, ear or armpit
- From 5 years and adults: Oral, ear or armpit
If a temperature reading is unusually high or low, take another after about 5-10 minutes. If you are not sure if it is correct, you can repeat it with a different thermometer.
light, which becomes high from 38 ° C and very high when it reaches 39.5 or 41 ° C.
In one study, researchers looked at individual differences between people's normal body temperatures, finding that out of nearly 35,500 subjects, older people had the lowest temperatures and African-American women higher than Caucasian men.
They also found that certain medical conditions can affect the temperature. For example, people with underactive thyroid glands tend to have shorter ones, while those with cancer tend to have higher.
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Babies tend to have body temperatures similar to those of adults but sometimes infants and very young ones have higher ranges than adults, especially if the measurement is in the armpits and in the ears.
This happens because the little ones have a larger body surface area than their body weight and their bodies have a more active metabolism that generates heat.
They also don't regulate temperature like adults: they sweat less in hot weather because their bodies retain more heat and cool more slowly when they have a fever.
Finally, their body temperature may rise slightly as their teeth emerge.
, headache or shortness of breath.
Temperatures above 41 ° C can cause heart failure, while below 35 it is referred to as hypothermia, which can be very dangerous if not treated quickly.
Children
Children aged 3 months to 3 years who have a fever but a temperature below 38.8 ° C do not always need medication. It is necessary to call the doctor if the temperature exceeds 39 or even if lower is accompanied by dehydration, vomiting or diarrhea.
called hypothalamus regulates body temperature. If the body temperature rises above or falls below 37 ° C, the hypothalamus intervenes to regulate it.If the body is too cold, the hypothalamus sends signals to make it shiver, warming it, while if it is too hot, it sends messages to start sweating.
Infections almost always cause fever, which is the body's natural way of reacting to them.
Some symptoms that can accompany a feverish state are:
- loss of appetite
- chills
- headache
- irritability
- muscle aches
- flickering
- sweating
- weakness
