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What Causes Different Body Temperatures At Different Parts Of The Body Of A Child?
Question: Why would a childs ear temp be different than forehead? My 4 yr old has forehead of 36.9 and ear temp of 38.5?
Brief Answer:
Explanation provided.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
What we actually need to measure is the core temperature of the body. It can be measured deep inside the ear opening, inside the anal opening or to some extent, inside the closed armpits. In other areas like the external ear (pinna), forehead etc. there is a variable amount of dilatation of the blood vessels and variable amount of heat loss. As a result, even though the core temperature remains the same, the temperature may be measured differently at different parts of the body. That is the reason that the measured temperature differs in your case. If you had pointed an infrared thermometer to the eardrum, you would have actually got a better measure of the temperature.
Hope that I have been able to clear your doubts.
Feel free to revert back.
Regards
Explanation provided.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
What we actually need to measure is the core temperature of the body. It can be measured deep inside the ear opening, inside the anal opening or to some extent, inside the closed armpits. In other areas like the external ear (pinna), forehead etc. there is a variable amount of dilatation of the blood vessels and variable amount of heat loss. As a result, even though the core temperature remains the same, the temperature may be measured differently at different parts of the body. That is the reason that the measured temperature differs in your case. If you had pointed an infrared thermometer to the eardrum, you would have actually got a better measure of the temperature.
Hope that I have been able to clear your doubts.
Feel free to revert back.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Should i worry she has a temperature? I used an infrared thernometer on her forehead and a bought ear thermomemter for her
Brief Answer:
Try it over other areas. Use tepid sponging if the temperature is higher.
Detailed Answer:
The following thermometer readings generally indicate a fever: Rectal, ear or temporal artery temperature of 100.4 (38 C) or higher. Oral temperature of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher. Armpit temperature of 99 F (37.2 C) or higher.
Check in the respective places (please do not measure it anywhere over the body) and if the temperature is higher than the stated value you would have to provide tepid sponging or paracetamol/acetaminophen to bring down the temperature.
Regards
Try it over other areas. Use tepid sponging if the temperature is higher.
Detailed Answer:
The following thermometer readings generally indicate a fever: Rectal, ear or temporal artery temperature of 100.4 (38 C) or higher. Oral temperature of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher. Armpit temperature of 99 F (37.2 C) or higher.
Check in the respective places (please do not measure it anywhere over the body) and if the temperature is higher than the stated value you would have to provide tepid sponging or paracetamol/acetaminophen to bring down the temperature.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
If a temperature,Does this mean she has something contagious? I have a newborn baby as well and im worried she will catch something
Brief Answer:
Some segregation is advisable
Detailed Answer:
Most often a child gets fever due to certain viral infections. These viruses are always around us and we get them when our immunity drops. Such infections spread through air (when the infected person sneezes etc.), touch (say, through the infected cloth used to wipe the nasal secretions) etc. Since you have a newborn child, it is preferable to maintain some distance and use some protection like not sneezing or coughing openly, keeping the used towels or handkerchiefs away from direct contact.
Let me know if you have further queries.
Regards
Some segregation is advisable
Detailed Answer:
Most often a child gets fever due to certain viral infections. These viruses are always around us and we get them when our immunity drops. Such infections spread through air (when the infected person sneezes etc.), touch (say, through the infected cloth used to wipe the nasal secretions) etc. Since you have a newborn child, it is preferable to maintain some distance and use some protection like not sneezing or coughing openly, keeping the used towels or handkerchiefs away from direct contact.
Let me know if you have further queries.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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