While a fever is common and among the first indicators of COVID-19, each individual needs to remain calm regardless of the number revealed on a thermometer or with testing done in a public establishment. An elevated temperature is not an automatic diagnosis of the coronavirus.
It should also be known that a normal temperature does not mean that you are free of the virus either, particularly if you are experiencing other symptoms. Some people are completely asymptomatic but test positive for the infection with routine medical exams. COVID-19 has no established protocol, which is why it’s challenging to fight it.
All people can do is take precautions, which is how the thermometer has come to take precedence. An elevation in temp is (usually) a sign of infection, so the tool has regular use for assessing staff, consumers, and people in their homes to ensure safety. Click this link https://beta.ctvnews.ca/national/coronavirus/2020/5/11/1_4934686.html for guidance on checking body temperature.
Assessing A Fever Can Be Simple
With the uncertainty of how to deal with the coronavirus, there is a certain fear people experience daily concerning exposure when it’s necessary to interact among the public.
The first sign most people check for is a warm forehead when back in the safety of their homes, followed by confirmation with a trusty thermometer.
Some people feel the need to employ the top-of-the-line, most expensive, and highly technical device to ensure the reading is of the optimum accuracy.
Unfortunately, despite the amount of money that you spend on a thermometer for adults, the accuracy is not going to be determined by the price point. And complexity will only make it a challenge for you to get a good reading.
An ordinary, budget-friendly, digital thermometer offering minimal complicated features is all a person will need to determine a fever. The only challenge faced with this type is actually finding one in these difficult times.
Thermometer Usage For Adults
The recommendation for kids over the age of four and adults is typically an oral reading. Rectal accuracy is greater, but the difference is merely slight, allowing a choice for those not comfortable with the option.
Before taking a temp orally, run the thermometer under cool water, use rubbing alcohol as a disinfectant, and then run under cool water again. You must avoid consuming cold/hot food or beverages prior to insertion under your tongue. Your mouth should stay closed tightly while you nose-breathe for the timed read. Afterward, follow the same cleansing protocol as done previously.
If you have been working out, have been out in extreme temperatures, or have just had a shower, these things can affect the reading. If someone in your home is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, they should use a different device than others are using.
What Determines A Normal Temperature?
Each individual will vary a little bit in what is considered a standard temperature for them. These can range beginning around 97 and go as high as 99.6, with men generally falling in the lower area compared to women, as do seniors.
People who take their temperatures rectally or using an ear thermometer will typically find a higher reading than they would if they were to use an oral device. You have a fever if your number reaches 100.4.
You should genuinely not go “searching for a fever.” There is certainly some sense of fear following this infection, but checking your temperature more than two times in any given day is excessive and unnecessary. It won’t change the number. It’s wise to stick with mid-morning and again in mid-afternoon, tests.
If there is a variation due to the time of day, it should most likely be less than a degree unless there are progressing symptoms. If you develop a fever, it’s not always related to COVID-19, and it doesn’t have to be accompanied by other symptoms or feeling ill. It’s worth mentioning to your regular doctor for awareness in case of a progression into fatigue, shortness of breath, or dry cough. Go here for opinions as to whether scanning for fever is beneficial for coronavirus prevention.
Final Thought
An elevated temperature is the primary sign of the coronavirus and typically the first indication. It’s essential to know that if you develop symptoms including a dry cough, lack a sense of smell or taste, experience fatigue, or are short of breath without experiencing a fever, you should contact your doctor. The infection, while most often accompanied by a fever, is not always.
Ensure that you’re proactive by taking your temperature daily, mid-morning and mid-afternoon, following proper protocol. If you’re unsure of how to do so or what type of thermometer would be best suited for your specific needs, contact your medical provider for guidance.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
