How to understand that you have a fever. Measure temperature without a thermometer

The newborn is so fragile and weak that even the mother is afraid to touch him, for fear of harm. Nevertheless, the baby needs daily contact with loved ones and hygiene procedures - bathing, changing clothes, changing diapers, cleaning the nose. The ability to correctly measure a baby's body temperature is a skill that a young mother will also have to master. Deviations from normal indicators will tell you that something is wrong with the baby and you should consult a doctor.

Body temperature: norm and deviations

Thermoregulation in an infant is imperfect. At rest, during sleep and after waking up, the temperature is always lower. With crying and motor activity, it can increase by 1.5 degrees. Neonatologists emphasize that normal body temperature in infants is in the range of 36.3-37.3. Immediately after birth, it reaches 38, then gradually decreases.

Each child has individual scores. When the baby is 37.1 and there are no signs of the disease, there is no need to worry. After a couple of months, thermoregulation stabilizes, and temperature values ​​\u200b\u200bbecome normal for children (36.6–36.8).

If the temperature does not decrease during the day and the indicator exceeds 37.4 degrees, you should contact your pediatrician. An increase of more than 38 is especially dangerous, it can indicate an inflammatory process, infectious disease. At this temperature, other signs of malaise are also noticeable. In babies at the age of 1 month, an increase in temperature is often observed after vaccination, in the heat, with dehydration.


It happens that the mother is worried about the low temperature of the baby (35 degrees). This happens if the baby has recently had a SARS, took antipyretics. Soon it will reach normal values. Low temperature occurs in premature babies, children with endocrine disorders, anemia. There is a congenital low temperature in a completely healthy child.

How do you know if a child has a temperature without a thermometer?

Malaise in infants is often accompanied by an increase in body temperature. This is joined by other symptoms that parents will definitely notice:

  • capriciousness;
  • lethargy;
  • eye shine;
  • loss of appetite;
  • hot forehead, neck, tummy;
  • redness of the face;
  • reduction in the number of urination;
  • bright yellow urine.

Any of these signs in babies under one year old should alert parents. They often indicate the presence of a disease. In order not to miss the time, you should check if the temperature of the crumbs is normal. You can do this without a thermometer.


[breath, pulse]

An increase in temperature is often accompanied by a malfunction of the heart muscle. This can be determined by measuring the pulse - with elevated temperature indicators, it becomes more frequent at rest, while there are other symptoms. To identify the deviation of the pulse rate will allow knowledge of the norm for different ages of the child:

The baby's breathing at elevated temperature gets confused, quickens. He is lethargic, sleeps all the time, breathes heavily and shudders in his sleep. You can count the number of breaths per minute. If the indicator for a one-year-old baby is more than 30, it is likely that the baby has a temperature. In infants, this may be indicated by an increase in exhalations up to 50 per minute.

[Hot red cheeks and cold pale limbs]

With an increase in indicators above 38 infant experiencing fever. Mom can notice hot and dry places immediately, without a thermometer, by touching her forehead or nose with her lips, touching the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe armpits, tummy, and elbow pits. When the temperature rises, they are dry, hot. It is impossible to determine exactly how much it is, but it will not be difficult to understand that the child is not all right. A very high temperature can be suspected by a feverish gleam in the eyes, a blush. The limbs of the baby are cold, pale, convulsions are possible.

[Thirst, lethargy, capriciousness]

A newborn or baby is not able to say what hurts. However, with malaise and fever, he behaves differently than usual. The baby is naughty, cries for no reason, refuses to eat.

Nothing pleases him, lethargy and apathy appear. High temperature causes dehydration, so the baby can eagerly drink the water offered to him or, on the contrary, refuse it.

Rules for measuring temperature in children

The question of how and with what help to measure the temperature of a baby worries newly-made parents. Pediatricians distinguish four methods:

  • Axillary. Readings are taken under the arm and in the inguinal folds. The normal result is from 36.3 to 37.3 degrees.
  • Oral. The thermometer is held in the mouth. The optimal indicator is 37.1.
  • Tympanic. The thermometer is inserted into the ear of infants older than 4-6 months. The norm is 37.3.
  • Rectal. The measurement is carried out in the rectum. The normal range is from 36.6 to 38.

There are many modern devices for taking measurements. Each of them has its own accuracy. In addition to the classic thermometer with a mercury scale, electronic, infrared and other types of instruments are used. Which one to choose for the baby depends on the family budget and the wishes of the parents.

[Using a mercury thermometer]

A glass mercury thermometer is usually placed under the arm or gently inserted into the rectum. Babies under one year old better fit first method. The traditional device has many advantages - high accuracy of readings, ease of use, low cost. Among the obvious disadvantages:

  • long measurement time - up to 10 minutes;
  • fragility - a mercury thermometer is easy to break, measurements in children should be done only under the supervision of adults;
  • mercury is poisonous, it requires careful cleaning and processing of places where the thermometer has broken.

[Electronic thermometer]

Electronic thermometers allow you to measure temperature orally and rectally. Armpit measurements are often inaccurate. Among the advantages of such medical devices:

When using an electronic thermometer, the error is up to one degree and depends on how long it is held. A reliable result can be obtained if you hold the device for about 3-5 minutes after the signal.

[Nipple thermometer]

The nipple thermometer is a device specifically for babies. By design, this is an ordinary dummy made of safe materials (plastic, latex or silicone). Among the shortcomings of parents are noted:

  • low accuracy;
  • measurement duration - up to 5 minutes;
  • unsuitable when the baby does not know what a pacifier is;
  • limited period of use.

[Non-contact infrared thermometer]

Non-contact devices allow you to measure the temperature without touching a sleeping or sick baby. It is enough to bring the device to the forehead or temples, and it will give the correct readings. Devices can also be inserted into the ear of older children. The sensor is very small and cannot damage eardrum. The disadvantages of the device include the high price and the impossibility of measuring in the ear of newly born babies.

[Strip thermometer]

Flexible head thermometers are convenient to use when the baby is sleeping. They will help to control whether the fever subsides, show the result within 20 seconds. If the child has just returned from a walk, before measuring, you must wait until skin warm up. For accurate results, the skin must be dry. Do not keep or use such thermometers in direct sunlight or bright lamps. Storage in a dry, dark place will ensure long-term performance of the strip. The disadvantage is the measurement error up to 1 degree.

Features of temperature measurement under the arm, rectally, in the mouth or ear

After choosing a device for measurements, it is important to decide how to measure the temperature of the baby. Pediatricians recommend the following methods:

  • In the armpit. The baby must be laid down, lifted and freed from clothing one of the handles. Place the thermometer so that its tip is close to the middle of the armpit. Wait for the time specified in the instructions for the measuring device. To avoid shifting or falling out of the thermometer, you need to be next to the baby.
  • In the ear. To measure the temperature in this way, use only a special thermometer. When inserting the tip, pull the earlobe back and up and gently insert the device. After measuring, the thermometer should be removed in reverse order.
  • In the rectum. The baby should be laid on its back, legs bent at the knees, as with the introduction of rectal suppositories (older children can be placed on their side or stomach). Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with oil or petroleum jelly and gently insert 1.5-2 cm into the rectum. Wait for the allotted time and carefully remove the device.
  • In the mouth. The thermometer is inserted by the cheek and held for the time specified in the instructions. In babies, only an electronic device is used.

Taking temperature readings in a newborn is a fairly simple procedure. It is important to choose a convenient method and buy an affordable device. Compliance with the recommendations for its use will eliminate errors and inaccuracies in the readings.

Do you feel weakness and weakness, hot flashes and manifestations of SARS, but you cannot know for sure what your body temperature is, because there is no thermometer at hand? This often happens in field conditions, after moving to another place of residence, and even in a “civilian” journey. How to measure temperature without a thermometer?

How to do without a thermometer?

Of course, "grandmother's" advice does not guarantee you accuracy, but it will help you find out if there really is a fever. The most famous way to identify fever is by touching the forehead.

Ask a loved one or friend to touch your forehead with the palm of your hand, or better with your lips, as their skin is more sensitive to temperature changes. If the forehead is hot, it is definitely present. If it's cold, everything is fine.

A significant disadvantage of such a primitive method is the inability to recognize low-grade fever, which can be truly dangerous, especially if a significant amount of time is held. It is subfebrile body temperature (its slight increase from the norm by 1-1.5 degrees) that can become an alarming bell about the onset of an inflammatory disease.

Another simple measurement method requires you to know your own heart rate in a "healthy" state. Take your pulse now that you feel worse. The fact is that with an increase in temperature in an adult, breathing and pulse quicken. Therefore, fluctuations in the indicators may indicate to you that there is still a fever. This method is not relevant for children.

You can measure body temperature without using a thermometer using breathing. A healthy person in a calm state makes 12-17 breaths and exhalations per minute. With an increase normal temperature, this value increases by 1.5-2 times. However, each organism is unique, therefore, one should not place serious hopes on the clear reliability of this method.

Please note that if your loved one has delirium, fever or convulsions - urgently call emergency care! If, on suspicion, there is a slight fever, organize a plentiful drink, give the patient a mild antipyretic, use folk recipes treatment of respiratory diseases. But if the dynamics are negative, be sure to consult a doctor!

Electronic thermometer

If you have an electronic thermometer in your arsenal, but so far you have not dealt with it using mercury, the following information will be useful to you. Digital thermometers are safer than their predecessor mercury counterparts.

They do not beat, they emit a special signal at the end of the measurement, they do not need the usual "shaking". However, they have certain subtleties in application.

How to measure temperature with an electronic thermometer?

  • Prepare the thermometer for work: wipe it with a damp cloth and press the power button, waiting for the symbols Lo and C to flash on the display;
  • Take into account the room temperature: if it is too high, the measurement result may be distorted;
  • The ideal measurement option is oral. It gives the most reliable result. To get the result, you need to open your mouth and place the device on the side of the tongue. At the same time, you can’t talk or move for a minute. As soon as the result is recorded, the thermometer will give a characteristic signal;
  • With the axillary (axillary) method of measurement, make sure that the cavity is not wet. Wipe it from perspiration with a dry cloth;
  • If you put the thermometer in your armpit, create tight skin contact with the sensor by holding your hand near your body;
  • Axillary measurement lasts 1.5-2 minutes, and after the signal it is necessary to hold the device under the arm for several seconds;
  • Attention - the axillary measurement is not as accurate as the oral one, so the result may be 1-1.5 degrees lower.

Basal temperature: making charts

Basal or rectal temperature is the lowest in our body. Traditionally measured in the rectum. Its definition is especially relevant for women planning a pregnancy.

By drawing up special schedules, you can calculate the days favorable for fertilization, recognize the onset of conception and assess the general condition of the organs of the reproductive system.

Rectal temperature is also measured to obtain reliable information about the presence of an inflammatory or infectious process in the body. What kind of thermometer to measure basal temperature? There are special devices designed for this purpose.

Their sensor has a short rounded end, which makes the procedure as safe and painless as possible. If your first aid kit does not have one, you can use a standard electronic or mercury thermometer while exercising extreme caution. In general, the result of an ordinary thermometer does not distort the real state of affairs.

Here are the measurement rules:

  • It is best to measure rectal temperature in the morning, after waking up, without getting out of bed;
  • Bring down the existing indicator on the thermometer to 35 degrees;
  • Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with a greasy baby cream or petroleum jelly;
  • Take a horizontal lateral position and insert the device into the anus to a depth of 1.5 cm;
  • How much to measure basal temperature with a mercury thermometer? Approximately 2-3 minutes, a little more than required with the axillary method;
  • If you are using an electronic thermometer, remove it after a signal that the result has been successfully recorded;
  • The result obtained is normally 36.5-37.1 degrees. If you are specifying a temperature for another purpose ( menstrual cycle and pregnancy) - follow specific instructions for scheduling.

Good old mercury thermometer

Surely you yourself are aware of how much and how to measure body temperature with a mercury thermometer - the oldest and most reliable assistant in this matter.

If in doubt, our little educational program is at your service:

  • Measurements with a mercury thermometer are optimally carried out twice a day - from 7 to 9 in the morning, and from 16 to 19 in the evening;
  • The axillary method is firmly rooted in our national habits, however, it will be useful for you to know that temperature measurement under the arm is the most unreliable option, and its results are always distorted by 0.5-1 degrees, unlike other methods;
  • The armpit must be strictly dry to avoid cooling by the moisture of the transducer;
  • The mercury tank itself must be in close contact with the skin on all sides;
  • Measurement lasts at least 5 minutes, ideally 10 minutes (especially for older devices).

Determining the water temperature

If you urgently need to determine the temperature of the water, and only a medical thermometer is at hand - do not worry, this can also be done with its help. True, provided that the thermal properties of the liquid are adequate, and you do not lower the device into boiling water. It should also be borne in mind that the measurement interval can only be within the markup.

Listen to your well-being. When the temperature rises, a person always feels weak, the skin on the face and neck turns red, chills are often observed. These are the surest signs of fever, less reliable, but also noticeable signs are inflamed eyes and aching bones. If the temperature is elevated, then the body is hot, which means you will sweat a lot, so drink plenty of fluids during the temperature. Dehydration is an inconspicuous but very unpleasant symptom. It causes dryness in the nasopharynx, thirst. That is why doctors advise drinking as much water as possible during the heat, preferably sweet water - sweet water makes a person want to drink more, and this is important, because even if a person does not want to drink, the body needs water.

Simple ways to measure temperature

The easiest and most well-known way to determine whether the body temperature is elevated or not is to simply put your hand on your forehead. If the forehead is hot - there is a temperature, if it is cold - it is not. Accuracy cannot be achieved from this method, and by the way, it is not required. But few people know that the more correct way is to put your hand not on your forehead, but on the dimples under your knees and on your neck - these are the places that most accurately determine body temperature.

Every ten "extra" beats per minute means that the temperature has risen by 1 degree.

This is due to the fact that at a high temperature in people, the pulse and breathing quicken. The above coefficients are valid for an adult, for a child everything is much more complicated - depending on the age, children have different normal pulses, so you have to use other methods of determining temperature without a thermometer. For example, you can determine by the frequency of breathing - this is easy to do unnoticed by the patient. The norm is about twenty breaths per minute, if there are more breaths per minute, this means that the person has a fever. And of course, the most striking signs of a feverish (not just elevated, but elevated to the limit) temperature can be called delirium, hallucinations, convulsions. In this case, the person should immediately give antipyretics and call ambulance, you should not self-medicate and assume that everything will pass by itself.

Body temperature rises in response to infection. This is a kind of protective reaction, the functioning of immunity. Doctors do not advise shooting down if the thermometer is less than 38 degrees. You have to give your body a chance to fight on its own. But the heat is dangerous: the body is dehydrated, the state of health worsens. You can't do without drugs.

It happens that loved ones feel bad, but there is not even a thermometer at hand. Something must be done, some medicine must be given. And how to determine which? Maybe it's not the temperature? A situation that brings us closer to panic, and loved ones to fainting. Knowing how to determine the temperature without a thermometer will be most welcome.

  • the person feels weak;
  • he is shivering;
  • the face and neck turn red or red spots appear on the skin.

Sometimes there is an ache in the bones and the eyes become inflamed. Sometimes sweating increases.

All these signs cannot be absolute for determining high temperature body. With small children it is even more difficult. Some of them rush around the house with heat, as if they were healthy. And if an adult wants to drink often, then kids have to be forced.

External indicators of heat for each person are individual. Therefore, relying on the results of observation is not worth it.

How to measure temperature without a thermometer?

There is a measuring device in every home first aid kit. Anyone knows how long to keep a thermometer, how to use it, read the readings (if the thermometer is not electronic). Why check the condition without a thermometer?

Situations are different. It can become bad in any place where there is no home first-aid kit and there is no saving thermometer. And there may not be a thermometer at home. Crashed. Haven't bought a new one yet.

We will measure in other ways:


When a loved one starts to have a fever, convulsions, delirium appear, we urgently call an ambulance medical care. There are no measurements here. Most likely, a loved one is tormented by a strong fever.

How many ways do you know to measure body temperature without a thermometer? And this is not an idle question! Once in field conditions and suspecting the onset of the disease, you can manage to alleviate the symptoms of the disease and have time to provide the person with prompt medical care. We offer some tips in our article. And then read what is the relationship between the pulse and body temperature. Perhaps one day this will serve you well.

Temperature without a thermometer. It is realistic to measure it even in field conditions. For you - a series of tips to recognize the rise in body temperature. It may be a sign of illness.

As a rule, they rarely take a thermometer with them on the road. Basically, only when the participants of the trip are small children. Otherwise, people are sure of a safe return home. That is why the standard contents of backpacks - canned meat for delicious camping stew recipes in nature, something from cereals, tea, salt, spices, as well as camping utensils, tents, sleeping bags and any change of clothes and shoes.

However, what to do if you suspect a fever, or by that time there were already clear signs of a problem?


High fever - what causes it?

Most often, fever is a sign of an inflammatory process that has arisen as a result of the ingestion of viruses and bacteria that can cause disease. Reduced immunity is another reason.

However, there may also be non-inflammatory factors. For example, overheating in the sun (sunstroke), period early stage pregnancy in women, psychological or physical stress and a number of other situations.

The reason may also be various chronic diseases. At the same time, people, as a rule, are well aware of their health problems.

And, nevertheless, a gradual or rapid increase in temperature indicators should in no case be left to chance. It is imperative to make an attempt to measure the temperature even without a thermometer.

Measure temperature without a thermometer

It is realistic to determine the temperature without a thermometer by placing the back of the hand on the frontal part of the head. Another option is to do a lip touch. You can easily feel unusually hot skin.

It is worth remembering that most often with an increase in temperature, the limbs continue to remain cold. But in the groin, under the knees, in the cubital fossae, as well as at the base of the skull, the deviation from normal physiological parameters is quite noticeable.

One of the main accompanying signs that a person is getting sick is lethargy, fatigue, drowsiness and aching joints. The redness of the cheeks and the sparkle of the eyes are another very revealing factor.

Not everyone knows that with an increase in heat, the pulse rate also increases. Therefore, with the help of the second hand of a watch or a stopwatch (these today are in the standard options of even simple mobile phones) you can count the pulse.

Yes, at one year old baby in a normal physical state - 140 beats per minute, and in adults at 36.6 ° - 80. At the same time, there are observations that an increase in temperature by one degree leads to an increase in heart rate, on average, by ten beats per minute. In other words, making a proportional count is not so difficult.

Respiration rate is also the most important indicator. However, on this basis, the calculation should be carried out only at rest. On average, there are four heartbeats per breath. In a healthy adult, for a minute in a waking state, on average, 16-18 breaths, and in a sleeping state - 12. In a one-year-old child, the respiratory rate is 35-45 per minute. That is, in this case, it is quite realistic to calculate.

In addition to the above, a person who has a temperature has a feeling of thirst, dry mouth, chills, and urination problems appear.

Convulsions, in turn, already speak of an extreme need for medical assistance. Late examination of the patient by a doctor can result in serious consequences.

And, here, profuse sweating, on the contrary, indicates that the fever begins to subside.

We hope that these small tips will help to quickly diagnose a painful condition of a person.