How to measure temperature without a thermometer

It is impossible to measure body temperature with an accuracy of tenths of a degree without instruments. Even household thermometers make mistakes. But, as a rule, high accuracy is not needed. It is enough to find out if there is a fever (temperature above 38 ° C) - it is she who is consideredDefinitions of Symptoms for Reportable Illnesses / CDC one of the key symptoms in the diagnosis of various diseases.

How to measure temperature without a thermometer

There are five main ways. Individually, these methods are not very reliable, but together they canHow do I take a temperature? /NHS briefly replace the thermometer.

1. Touch your forehead

In fever, the forehead becomes hot. In order not to be mistaken, observeHow to diagnose a fever at home / Medical News Today the following rules.

1. Do not check if you have a fever yourself. Your hands may be hot too, so you won't feel the heat.
2. Use the back of your hand. The skin is more sensitive there.
3. Before checking, make sure the room is neither too hot nor too cold. If the hand is cold, the forehead will feel very warm. And with a hot palm, it will be easy to miss the heat.
   instagram viewer

2. Touch your chest or back

Here the rule is the same - use the back of your hand. If the chest or back seemHow do I take a temperature? /NHS hot, most likely the person has a fever.

3. Take a look at the complexion

Flushed cheeks - another sure sign that doctors takeDefinitions of Symptoms for Reportable Illnesses / CDC into account.

Remember that it is worth evaluating the complexion only if the person is at rest. With active movement or immediately after physical exertion, the cheeks can also turn red, but it is unlikely due to increased temperature.

4. Measure your pulse

V norm heart rate in adults is 60-100 beats per minute. This also applies to children over 10 years of age. In preschoolers, the normal pulse does not exceed 120 beats, in children aged one to two - 130, and in infants up to a year - 160.

as show 1. P. Davies, I. Maconochie. The Relationship between Body Temperature, Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate in Children / Emergency Medicine Journal
2. J. Karjalainen, M. Viitasalo. Fever and Cardiac Rhythm / Archives of Internal Medicine research, when you have a fever, your heart beats faster. Every 8-10 heartbeats above the norm allow us to suspect that the body temperature has risen by one degree.

5. Analyze your well-being

An increase in temperature is usually accompaniedN. J. Ames, C. Peng, J. H. Powers, N. K. Leidy, C. Miller-Davis, A. Rosenberg, M. Van Raden, and G. R. Wallen. Beyond Intuition: Patient Fever Symptom Experience / Journal of Pain and Symptom Management other characteristic symptoms. The more of these additional signs, the more likely fever.

1. Heat. It often seems to a person that he is “burning”.
2. Chills. Despite the internal heat, people with fever often shiver from the cold. Although the air temperature in the room is normal or even elevated.
3. Marked weakness. It could be drowsiness Or just severe fatigue.
4. Strong sweating. In a person with a fever, the skin often feels clammy, moist to the touch.
5. Feeling unwell. People cannot always describe what specifically worries them, but the sensations will definitely be unpleasant.
6. Nausea. Sometimes not strong, and sometimes quite tangible.
7. Headache. Another common symptom in fever.

When to seek immediate help

Fever can signalFever/Cleveland Clinic about really dangerous diseases. Call your doctor right away if you think you have a fever and you have these symptoms:

• neck stiffness, when a person cannot turn or tilt their head;
• confused mind;
• abrupt changes in emotional state, such as pronounced anxiety or irritability;
• rash any kind, spreading through the body;
• photophobia, that is, painful sensations in the eyes when looking at the light;
• dehydration - it can be assumed by the dark color of urine, sunken eyes, lack of tears when crying;
• convulsions.

You should also consult your doctor if your fever cannot be brought down with paracetamol or ibuprofen-based antipyretics, or if it persists for more than five days.

Ekaterina Komissarova