Is it possible to take your temperature without a thermometer

When using touch to diagnose a fever in someone else, touch your own skin first, then touch the other person to compare the two temperatures. If the other person is a lot hotter than you, they may have a fever. You can also try pinching the skin on the back of your hand to check for signs of dehydration. Dehydration may be a sign of a fever. You have a fever if your rectal temperature is In adults and children over 3 months, a temperature of If your baby is up to 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of Fevers in young babies can be very serious.

If your child is between 3 months and 3 years old and has a temperature of This is considered a high fever. Seek immediate medical help if this is the case. When you shiver, your body rapidly vibrates to increase your body temperature, so you could actually cause your temperature to get higher if you take a cold bath or shower. Instead, try sponging your body with warm water.

As the water evaporates, your body will begin to cool. If sponging causes shivering, though, stop or increase the water temperature. However, there are instances when medical attention is necessary in adults. For babies 3 months and younger, seek immediate medical help if they have a rectal temperature of For children between 3 months and 3 years old, call their doctor if they have a temperature of Read this article in Spanish. When should you break a fever, and when should you let it run its course?

Here's everything you need to know about when and how to break a fever. Need to get rid of a fever fast? Read about side effects, warnings, and other factors to help you decide which fever reducer is best for you or your….

Chills without fever may be caused by being in a cold environment, or it could be a sign of an underlying condition. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Feel the person's forehead or neck. The most common way to check for a fever without a thermometer is to feel the person's forehead or neck to see if it feels hotter than usual.

Use the back of your hand, since the skin on your palm isn't as sensitive as these other areas. Keep in mind this is the first step to figuring out if something might be wrong, but it can't accurately tell you if someone has a dangerously high fever. Sometimes a person's skin can feel cool and clammy when they have a high fever, and sometimes their skin might feel very hot even though they don't have a fever. Make sure to check the person's skin temperature in a room that isn't too hot or cold, and don't check right after the person has been sweating due to exercise.

However, this may be more difficult to notice if the person has darker skin. Notice if the person is lethargic. A fever is often accompanied by lethargy or extreme fatigue, like moving or speaking slowly or a refusal to get out of bed.

Children with fever may complain of feeling weak or tired, refuse to go out and play or have a loss of appetite. Ask the person if they feel achy. Body aches in the muscles and joints also often happen at the same time as a fever. Headaches are also commonly experienced by people along with fever. Find out if the person is dehydrated.

When a person has a fever, it's easy for him or her to become dehydrated. Ask the person if they are very thirsty or if their mouth feels dry. If the person has urine that is bright yellow, this could be an indication that he or she is dehydrated and may have a fever. Darker color urine than normal is also an indication of more serious dehydration. Ask the person if they feel nauseous. Nausea is a key symptom of a fever and other maladies like the flu. Pay close attention if the person feels nauseated or is vomiting, and can't keep food down.

Notice if the person is shivering and sweating. The person may also alternate between feeling hot and cold as the result of a fever. As your temperature goes up and down it is common to shiver and feel very cold even when those around you are feeling comfortable or even hot. Treat any febrile convulsions. A febrile convulsion is a kind of seizure that happens either just before or while a child has a high temperature. Seek medical treatment if your child has a febrile convulsion, especially if they don't appear to recover readily.

Although it can be upsetting to watch your child experience a febrile convulsion, it does not cause permanent damage to your child. To treat a febrile convulsion: Place your child on their side in a clear space or area on the floor. Stay with your child under the convulsion stops after minutes. Lay your child on their side in a recovery position while they recover. Part 2. If you have a high temperature, get evaluated by your primary care doctor.

Or, if you have a low fever of This may be a sign of a more serious condition. Call for an ambulance and stay with your child, keeping them on their side in the recovery position. You should also get immediate medical attention if the febrile convulsions are accompanied by: [4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Vomiting A stiff neck Breathing problems Extreme sleepiness.

A bacterial infection could be the cause of the fever, so seek the advice of your child's pediatrician. Get medical care for a fever, stiff neck, headache, and rash. These may be symptoms of meningitis, an infection that requires prompt medical treatment. National Institutes of Health Go to source. Call a doctor if the person is agitated, confused, or experiencing hallucinations.

These could all be signs of a virus or a bacterial infection like pneumonia. Get medical care if there is blood in their stool, urine, or mucus. These are also signs of a more serious infection.

Page last reviewed: 31 March Next review due: 31 March Home Common health questions Accidents, first aid and treatments Back to Accidents, first aid and treatments.

How do I take a temperature? Children under 5 For advice about taking a temperature in a child under 5, see how to take a baby's or young child's temperature.

Information: You can also use a digital thermometer in your armpit. Other thermometers Do not use a glass thermometer or a forehead strip. Glass thermometers can be dangerous and forehead strips are not accurate. Important It's not always easy to take a temperature accurately. Get help from NHS online.