Body temperature
Normal body temperature is a range. The following table shows that ranges of normal also vary by site. Therefore, readings from different sites, even if taken at the same time, should not be directly compared.
Normal ranges by site: |
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Axillary1: | 94.5 | – | 99.1 | °F | 34.7 – 37.3 °C |
Oral1: | 95.9 | – | 99.5 | °F | 35.5 – 37.5 °C |
Rectal1: | 97.9 | – 100.4 | °F | 36.6 – 38.0 °C | |
ThermoScan2: | 96.4 | – 100.4 | °F | 35.8 – 38.0 °C | |
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•A person’s normal temperature range tends to decrease with age. The following table shows normal ThermoScan ranges by age:
Normal ThermoScan ranges by age2:
0 | – | 2 years | 97.5 | – 100.4 | °F | 36.4 – 38.0 °C | |
3 | – 10 years | 97.0 | – 100.0 | °F | 36.1 – 37.8 °C | ||
11 | – 65 years | 96.6 | – | 99.7 | °F | 35.9 – 37.6 °C | |
| > | 65 years | 96.4 | – | 99.5 | °F | 35.8 – 37.5 °C |
The range of normal varies from person to person and can be influenced by many factors such as time of day, level of activity, medications and gender.
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.
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