Body temperature

•Axillary temperatures reflect skin temperature which may not indicate core body temperature.

•Oral temperatures are influenced by drinking, eating and breathing through the mouth.

•Rectal temperatures often lag behind changes in core body temperature and there is a risk of cross-contamination.

Normal body temperature is a range. The following table1 shows that ranges of nor- mal also vary by site. Therefore, readings from different sites, even if taken at the same time, should not be directly compared.

Axillary:	94.5	°F -	99.1 °F	34.7 °C - 37.3 °C
Oral:	95.9	°F -	99.5 °F	35.5 °C - 37.5 °C
Rectal:	97.9	°F - 100.4 °F		36.6 °C - 38.0 °C
ThermoScan2:	96.4	°F - 100.4 °F		35.8 °C - 38.0 °C

•Also, a person’s normal temperature range tends to decrease with age. The follow- ing table shows normal ThermoScan ranges by age.

Normal ThermoScan temperature ranges2

0	- 2 years	97.5	°F - 100.4 °F		36.4°C - 38.0 °C
3	- 10 years	97.0	°F - 100.0 °F		36.1°C - 37.8 °C
11 - 65 years		96.6	°F -	99.7 °F	35.9°C - 37.6 °C
	> 65 years	96.4	°F -	99.5 °F	35.8°C - 37.5 °C

•However, the range of normal also varies from person to person and fluctuates throughout the day. It is therefore important to determine your and your family members’ normal temperature ranges. This is easily done using Braun ThermoScan. Practice taking temperatures on yourself and healthy family members to determine their normal temperature ranges.

Note: When consulting your physician, communicate that the ThermoScan tempera- ture is a temperature measured in the ear and if possible, note the individual’s normal ThermoScan temperature range as additional reference.

1.Chamberlain, J.M., Terndrup, T.E., New Light on Ear Thermometer Readings, Contemporary Pediatrics, March 1994.

2.Chamberlain, J.M., et al., Determination of Normal Ear Temperature with an Infrared Emission Detection Thermometer, Annals of Emergency Medicine, January 1995.