Measuring a person’s
temperature
How to take the temperature of a
baby, a child, and an adult
What is a fever?
A fever is a higher than normal temperature in a sick person. Normally,
a person’s body temperature is around 98.6°F (37° C) when taken
orally (by mouth).
Fever itself is not an illness. It is a sign that the body is fighting
infection through it’s own defense mechanisms.
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What is considered a higher than
normal body temperature?
It depends on where the temperature is measured:
 100.4°F (38°C) when measured rectally (in the bottom)

99.5°F (37.5°C) when measured orally (in the mouth)

99°F (37.2°C) when measured under the arm
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Types of thermometers
There are various types of
thermometers available.
Choose the one most
appropriate for the
person’s age and ability to
cooperate.
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Digital thermometers
Digital thermometers provide the quickest
and most reliable readings.
They can be purchased at most
supermarkets and pharmacies, and can
be used for taking a person’s
temperature by mouth, in the rectum, or
under the armpit.
Digital thermometers are quick and
convenient, but require a battery and
may not be functioning when it is most
needed.
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Electronic ear thermometers
Ear thermometers measure the
temperature inside the ear
canal. Although they are quick
and easy to use in older
children, they are not as reliable
as digital thermometers, more
expensive, and cannot be used
in children younger than 3
months of age.
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Plastic strip thermometers
Plastic strip thermometers
are quick and easy, but they
are not reliable for taking an
exact measurement. They
can tell you if your child has
a fever, but not the exact
temperature.
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Pacifier Thermometers
Pacifier thermometers are
convenient, but not reliable and
should not be used in infants
younger than 3 months. They
require the child to keep the pacifier
in the mouth for several minutes
without moving, which is almost
impossible for most babies and
toddlers.
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Glass Mercury Thermometers
Glass mercury thermometers
were once commonly used,
but now are they are not
recommended because of
the possible exposure to the
environmental toxin mercury.
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Glass Mercury-Free Thermometers
There are new, mercury-free
thermometers available on the
market. The glass
thermometers are convenient
because they do not need a
battery, but are glass and
require more care.
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Should all fevers be treated?
A fever in a small infant (3 months or younger) should
always be treated. However, a fever in an older
person should be evaluated with the person’s overall
condition. If the sick person is still alert, eating and
drinking well, has normal skin color, and is generally
comfortable, the fever does not have to be treated.
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How to use a digital thermometer
Either a digital and glass thermometer can be used when taking an oral (mouth),
rectal (bottom), or axillary (armpit) temperature. To use a digital
thermometer:
1.
Wash the tip with warm (not hot), soapy water.
2.
Press the “on” button.
3.
Insert the tip of the thermometer into the mouth, bottom, or under the armpit.
4.
Hold the thermometer in place until it beeps (about 30 seconds).
5.
Read the display.
6.
Turn off the thermometer, rinse under water, and put it away in a safe place.
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How to use a glass thermometer
Note that rectal thermometers have a shorter, squatter bulb than oral thermometers
1. Carefully remove glass thermometer from its case. Wash tip gently with warm (not hot)
soapy water.
2. Hold the thermometer from the end opposite the silver or colored tip. Shake the
thermometer carefully until the silver line is below 96°F (35.6°C). .
3. Insert the tip of the regular thermometer into the mouth or under the armpit. Apply a small
amount of lubricant (petroleum jelly) to the tip of the rectal thermometer before gently
inserting it into the rectum. Keep the thermometer in place for two minutes.
4. To read the thermometer, you may have to rotate it slowly to see where the measuring
line is on the thermometer. Slowly turn the thermometer until you see the red, blue, or
silver-colored line. Each long mark on the thermometer is the same as 1 degree. Short
marks are the same as 0.2
5. After using the thermometer, rinse and return it to its case. Store it in a safe place.
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How to take a rectal temperature
1.
Clean your hands and the thermometer, then dab a little K-Y or
petroleum jelly on the bulb of the thermometer.
2.
With your baby lying facedown across your lap or on a firm,
comfortable surface, gently spread her buttocks apart with one
hand and use the other to hold the thermometer between your
middle and index fingers.
3. Gently insert the tip of the thermometer a half-inch to one inch into
your baby's rectum. Hold it in place until you hear the beep (digital
thermometer), or about 2 minutes (glass thermometer). Then
slowly withdraw the
thermometer to read it.
4. If the rectal temperature is over 100.4°F (38°C), your child has a
fever.
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How to take an oral temperature
1. Be sure the sick person has not had a cold or hot drink in the last 30
minutes.
2. Put the tip of the thermometer under one side of the tongue and
toward the back. It's important to put the thermometer in the right
place. Ask the person to close his mouth (but not bite down on the
thermometer).
3. Help a child keep the thermometer in place. If the sick person is an
adult, have the person hold the thermometer in place with his lips
and fingers (not teeth) until the thermometer beeps (about 30
seconds) or 2 minutes (glass thermometer). Keep the lips sealed.
4. The person has a fever if the temperature is above 99.5°F (37.5°C)
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How to take a temperature in the
armpit (axillary temperature)
An armpit temperature is not as accurate as an oral or rectal,
but will serve to indicate whether or not a person has a fever.
1. Gently pat the armpit with a tissue. Do not rub when drying the armpit
because rubbing warms the skin.
2. Put the end with the colored or silver tip under the arm. Hold the arm down
tightly at the side.
3. Keep the thermometer under the arm for 5 minutes or longer (glass
thermometer) or until it beeps (digital thermometer).
4. Remove the thermometer without touching the tip.
5. Gently wipe the thermometer with a tissue before reading it. An axillary
temperature of more than 98°F (36.7°C) is considered a fever.
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Taking a temperature with an
electronic ear thermometer
The biggest advantage of the electronic ear thermometer is that it measures temperatures in
less than 2 seconds. It also does not require cooperation by the child and does not cause any
discomfort. Ear thermometers for use at home have been developed and they cost $30 to $40.
1. If your child has been outdoors on a cold day, he needs to be inside for
15 minutes before taking the temperature.
2. Pull the ear backward to straighten the ear canal.
3. Place the end of the thermometer into your child's ear canal and aim
the probe toward the eye on the opposite side of the head. Then
press the button.
4. In about 2 seconds you can read the temperature.
5. Your child has a fever if the ear temperature is over 100.4°F (38°C).
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Taking a temperature with an
electronic pacifier
The electronic pacifier should not be used in babies younger
than 3 months of age. They can indicate whether or not a
child has a fever, but do not give accurate measurements.
1. Have your child suck on the pacifier until the
temperature stops changing and you hear a beep.
This usually takes 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Read the temperature. Your child has a fever if the
pacifier temperature is over 100°F (37.8°C).
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Comparing temperatures taken by
mouth, in the bottom, or under the arm
What is a high temperature (fever) measured one way
may not be a high temperature measured another way.
Generally, rectal (bottom) and ear temperatures are 0.5°F
to 1.0°F higher than oral temperatures.
Axillary (armpit) temperatures are usually 0.5°F to 1.0°F
lower than oral temperatures.
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Caring for a sick person with a fever

Consult a health care provider immediately if
–
–

If the sick person is a child younger than 3 months of age
If the sick person has a fever over 104°F (40°C)
Home care for a person with a fever includes:
–
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Medicine to reduce fever such as Ibuprofen (Motrin),
acetominophen (Tylenol), or aspirin. Do not give aspirin to a child
younger than 12 years of age.
Plenty of liquids
Sponge baths with lukewarm water
Cool, loose clothing and blankets
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For more information about how to
care for a sick person with a fever



Contact your health care professional
Talk to your pharmacist
Check on-line resources such as
–
–
www.medlineplus.gov
www.kidshealth.org
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How to Take a Temperature
prepared by
Celine Woznica DrPH
Heartland Health Outreach
4753 N. Broadway Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60640
773-752-4166
Cwoznica@heartlandalliance.org
This slide show was made possible through funding by the Illinois Department
of Public Health and the Office on Refugee Resettlement.
Heartland Health Outreach, the health care partner of Heartland Alliance, thanks
both organizations for their support of immigrant and refugee health
education and promotion
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