What is Fever?
Your body temperature is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37.5 degrees Celsius). The normal range can be from 96.7 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature of your body rises above 100 degrees, you have a fever. The rise in temperature indicates the body's defense mechanisms are fighting to combat infection therefore having a fever isn't all that bad. But it does have to be monitored.
How Do You Take A Temperature?
Temperature can be taken in four different ways.
You can use a glass (mercury) thermometer: a round tip is for taking the temperature by the mouth (orally) and the elongated tip is to take the temperature rectally. In daycare, it is recommended to take the oral thermometer and take the temperature axillary (under the arm pit). Place the thermometer under a dry arm it and hold for four to five minutes. This method will give you a reading such as 38 degrees but then add 1
(one) degree to your reading: therefore 39 degrees is the reading of the temperature. Some claim axillary reading isn't precise, but you are taking the temperature to screen for fever. Your goal is to determine:
1) Is there a fever?
2) Do I call the parents?
3) What can I do the lower the temperature?
Make sure you can read your thermometer - they're available in both the English Method (Fahrenheit) or Metric (Celsius).
Your center might be lucky to have on hand the accurate digital thermometer that is held against the inside of the earlobe. The results come in less than one minute. Although it's accurate and precise, it is also costly.
What Should You Do?
The child's age will determine how quickly you'll need to respond. Medical attention is called for if the child is younger than 4 months and has 100 F+ taking axillary.
Change the child into lighter clothes or remove layers of clothing the child might be wearing. If the fever is high, over 102 degrees, leave child in diaper/pull ups or underwear.
Make sure there's air circulating in the room. You might want to open a window.
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