Miscellaneous

The norm of body temperature in an adult. Age table

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Content

  1. How heat is distributed in the body
  2. The body temperature of an adult is normal by age
  3. Basal
  4. Armpit
  5. In the mouth
  6. In the ear
  7. In the groin fold
  8. In the elbow bend
  9. Do the norms differ between men and women?
  10. Why can the body temperature norm change with age?
  11. In what cases, a low and high temperature indicates the norm for an adult
  12. How to measure the temperature correctly?
  13. Fever in adults
  14. What processes in the body cause an increase in temperature
  15. What if the temperature is slightly above normal for a long time?
  16. What is the risk of high temperature
  17. Do I need to bring down the high temperature, how to reduce it to normal
  18. What temperature indicators are considered critical and require urgent help
  19. Decrease in temperature in adults
  20. Reasons for a prolonged decline and possible consequences
  21. How to increase the indicator to normal
  22. When do you need urgent medical attention?
  23. Video about normal body temperature

Human body temperature may differ depending on age, body heat distribution and other physiological factors. In an adult, the norms may differ from the norms in children.

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How heat is distributed in the body

Heat is generated in all internal organs and tissues. At the same time, it is not evenly distributed. Thus, the highest temperature is observed in the muscles, kidneys and liver. Minimal heat build-up occurs in the skeletal system and tendons.

Skin and muscle tissue generate more heat than internal organs. The thermal core is the liver, brain and heart. Depending on the specific area, the temperature in them can reach 38 0C.Body temperature norms in an adult by age

On the skin, the temperature will also differ, coming from the remoteness of a certain area of ​​the skin from the thermal core. In this case, indicators can vary from 29.5 to 36.9 0C.

The body temperature of an adult is normal by age

Body temperature can differ not only depending on age, but also on other factors - time of day, body area, physical activity, food intake.

Age Norms (0C)
Newborns up to 1 year 37-38
Children under 5 years old 36,6-37,5
Adolescence 35,5-37,8
Adults from 18 to 65 36-37,4
Seniors over 65 36,3

In the age range from 18 to 65 years, indicators can vary in a clinically insignificant range.

Basal

Basal (rectal) temperature is measured immediately after sleep.Body temperature norms in an adult by age

Indicators:

  • Infants up to 2 years old - 36.6-38 0C.
  • Children from 3 to 10 years old - 36.6-38 0C.
  • Children from 11 and adults up to 65 years old - 37.0-38.1 0C.
  • Over 65 years old - 36.2-37.3 0C.

Most often, this method of measurement is used in women before ovulation or when planning a pregnancy.

Armpit

The body temperature in the armpit is measured quite often and can vary within 3 degrees depending on age.

Thus, the following norms have been adopted:

  • Newborns and children under 2 years old - 34.7-37.3 0C.
  • Children from 3 to 10 years old - 35.9-36.7 0C.
  • From 11 to 65 years old - 35.2-36.9 0C.
  • Over 65 years old - 35.6-36.3 0C.

In the elderly, a slight increase in temperature may indicate severe febrile conditions.

In the mouth

The temperature in the oral cavity also depends on the person's age and can change throughout the day.

Norms:

  • Newborns up to 2 years old - 35.5-37.5 0C.
  • Children from 3 to 10 years old - 35.5-37.5 0C.
  • From 11 to 65 years old - 36.4-37.6.
  • Elderly patients from 65 years old - 35.8-36.9.
    Body temperature norms in an adult by age
    The norm of body temperature in an adult

This method of measurement is often used in pediatric practice, since it is difficult to carry out other methods at this age.

In the ear

The norm of body temperature in an adult in the ear also differs from the indicators when measuring the temperature at other points.

For newborns under 2 years old, the norm is from 36.4 to 38 0C. For children under 11 years old, this indicator will vary from 36.1 to 37.8 0C. For children from 11 years old, as well as in adults up to 65 years old, normal values ​​are from 35.9 to 37.6 0C. In people over 65, the temperature varies from 35.8 to 37.5 0C.

In the groin fold

This method of measurement is indicated for children over 5 years old. Temperatures from 36.3 to 36.9 are considered normal for all ages. 0C.

In the elbow bend

This method is used in most cases by women during breastfeeding. The normal value is temperatures up to 37.5 0C. The age of the patients is not taken into account.

Do the norms differ between men and women?

Body temperature norms for women and men may differ. This is due to various physiological characteristics. According to statistics, temperatures are slightly higher for women, and lower for men. Moreover, the difference in indicators will be within 0.5 0C.

Men have more nerve endings that respond to changes in body temperature. At the same time, the activity of their sweat glands is also higher. Hormonal differences are also responsible for temperature differences.

Why can the body temperature norm change with age?

In humans, with age, there is a change in thermoregulation, which is responsible for body temperature. To determine the norm for each elderly person, it is necessary to take daily temperature measurements for 1-1.5 weeks.Body temperature norms in an adult by age

With age, the sensitivity of thermoreceptors also changes, responding to changes in temperature, both their own and the environment. An important factor is the slowing down of metabolism, which also affects the thermoregulation system.

Temperature changes in some cases may be associated with the presence of diseases characteristic of the elderly - diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, heart attack.

In what cases, a low and high temperature indicates the norm for an adult

Changes in temperature indicators are not always a pathology. In some cases, the decrease and increase in temperature may be associated with natural physiological changes.

What is considered the norm:

  • hormonal changes in the body in women (pregnancy, menstruation, ovulation, lactation);
  • taking certain medications;
  • congenital physiological features;
  • climate change (acclimatization);
  • the use of hot or cold drinks, meals;
  • systematic physical activity;
  • carrying out surgical interventions.

Body temperature norms in an adult by ageThese conditions do not require therapy, but should be monitored by a specialist. In most cases, the symptom goes away on its own within a day. With acclimatization, the condition can persist for several weeks.

How to measure the temperature correctly?

The norm of body temperature in an adult can vary depending on the age, the measurement technique used and the correctness of the procedure. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the prescribed rules.

You can measure temperature in various ways and with thermometers. For this, mercury, alcohol or electronic thermometers are used.

When using an electronic thermometer, hold it until the beep ends. As a rule, most patients take out the thermometer from the first seconds of the sound signal, which is incorrect and leads to errors in the results.

When measuring the temperature in the armpit, it is necessary to wipe it with a dry cloth and firmly clamp the thermometer in the depression. In this case, it is recommended to keep the device for at least 5-10 minutes. In this case, the indicators will be more accurate.

Before measuring, you should adhere to the following rules:

  • avoid physical activity and other stress;
  • quit smoking;
  • exclude the use of hot drinks;
  • stop taking medications (especially antipyretics);
  • do not use hot baths.Body temperature norms in an adult by age

To measure the temperature in the mouth, place a thermometer under the tongue and close your mouth tightly. For rectal measurements, it is recommended to use plastic electronic thermometers, as glass devices are often traumatic (especially in infants).

Fever in adults

In an adult, an increase in temperature can occur for various reasons. In this case, the indicators of the norm can change both in the case of physiological features or the influence of external factors, and as a result of internal diseases.

What processes in the body cause an increase in temperature

There are many physiological factors behind an increase in body temperature.

The most common of these are the following factors:

  • increased physical activity;
  • psycho-emotional experiences or overwork;
  • changing climatic conditions (flights);
  • change in the time of day (in the evening the temperature may slightly increase);
  • disorders in the hypothalamus (congenital or acquired);
  • age-related changes;
  • hormonal changes during ovulation, pregnancy, or breastfeeding;
  • alcohol abuse or smoking;
  • mental illness.

In some cases, an increase in body temperature occurs due to the development of internal diseases:

  • infectious diseases (acute or chronic);
  • viral infections - influenza, ARVI;
  • inflammation and swelling;
  • respiratory system pathology;
  • malfunctions of the thyroid gland;
  • injuries to muscles, joints, tendons;
  • sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

With the development of any internal diseases, appropriate adequate therapy is required. In other cases, it is necessary to establish the reason for the increase.

What if the temperature is slightly above normal for a long time?

A slight increase in temperature that persists over a period of time is not always considered a hazard.

Slightly overestimated values ​​of subfebrile temperature (from 37.1 to 38 0C) can be observed for another 2 weeks after suffering a fever or other infectious diseases. In the absence of any other signs, the condition does not require additional diagnostics and therapy.Body temperature norms in an adult by age

Also, subfebrile temperature can be observed in the following cases:

  • vaccinations or vaccinations carried out the day before;
  • injuries - bruises, dislocations, sprains;
  • disorders in the thyroid gland;
  • allergic diseases;
  • low hemoglobin content (anemia).

With the development of iron deficiency anemia, the tissues of the body (including the brain) receive an insufficient amount of oxygen, which leads to oxygen starvation. Against this background, metabolic disorders and thermoregulation processes occur, as a result of which an increase in body temperature is noted.

What is the risk of high temperature

A long-term increase in temperature can lead to the development of various additional complications. With indicators above 42 0C in the body, the breakdown of proteins begins. With an increase of another 1 degree, the brain functions are suppressed.

Other dangerous complications:

  • increased blood pressure;
  • increased heart rate (HR);
  • an increase in the number of decays of products of pathogenic microorganisms (intoxication);
  • disruption of the brain, accompanied by hallucinations;
  • fainting;
  • dehydration;
  • failure of the kidneys and heart;
  • disruption of the nervous system;
  • disorders of the digestive system.

With greatly overestimated indicators, a lethal outcome can occur.

Do I need to bring down the high temperature, how to reduce it to normal

The norm of body temperature in an adult can be different depending on his physiology, therefore, each patient needs to independently or with the help of determining his characteristic indicators.Body temperature norms in an adult by age

It is not necessary to bring down the temperature in all cases. Thus, with fever, natural physiological processes occur that help fight the pathology. When taking antipyretics, the immune system is reduced, and the duration of the disease may increase.

It is recommended to lower the temperature in the following cases:

  • indicators above 39 0C;
  • the development of concomitant symptoms - nausea, dizziness, vomiting, convulsions;
  • established neurological disorders;
  • the presence of diseases of the cardiovascular system (diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis).

With these violations, a complex intake of drugs is required, including antipyretic drugs.

What temperature indicators are considered critical and require urgent help

Medical care and hospitalization of the patient is required when the body temperature remains at 39 for several days 0C. Also, help is needed if antipyretic drugs do not help.

Emergency hospitalization of the patient is required at temperatures above 41 0C.

In this case, the help of the medical team is necessary with the development of the following symptoms:

  • feverish condition;
  • dyspnea;
  • hallucinations;
  • strong pressure in the chest area;
  • cardiopalmus;
  • soreness in the abdomen;
  • vomit;
  • hemoptysis;
  • the presence of bloody impurities in the stool.Body temperature norms in an adult by age

These conditions can pose a threat to human life, therefore, an ambulance should be called immediately after the development of dangerous symptoms.

Decrease in temperature in adults

The norm of body temperature in an adult should remain within 36-37 0C. In other cases, to determine the cause and presence of pathology, it is necessary to consult a specialist. A drop in temperature is possible for a number of different reasons. In this case, pathology is considered when the indicators are below 35.5 0C.

The condition is dangerous and is often accompanied by the development of the following symptoms:

  • general malaise, drowsiness and weakness;
  • irritability;
  • numbness of the limbs;
  • decreased concentration of attention and reactions;
  • tremor (trembling in the body);
  • a general feeling of coldness.

Depending on the disease, other signs may develop - pain, dyspeptic disorders.

Reasons for a prolonged decline and possible consequences

There are several main reasons for the decrease in temperature that persists for a long time. Moreover, regardless of the reason, such a condition is considered dangerous and requires appropriate therapy.

Factors:

  • psychological reasons - lack of sleep, improper or insufficient nutrition, stressful situations, psychoemotional disorders;
  • disruption of the endocrine system (insufficient production of hormones or hypothyroidism);
  • low hemoglobin levels (iron deficiency anemia);
  • severe hypothermia of the body;
  • adrenal insufficiency (Addison's syndrome);
  • toxic damage to the body;
  • shock conditions;
  • weakened immunity - undergone surgeries, chemotherapy, AIDS.

A long-term condition can lead to serious consequences:

  • severe psychological and emotional retardation;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • death.

Patient death occurs at temperatures below 26.5 0C.

How to increase the indicator to normal

An increase in temperature is only necessary when the readings have fallen below 35.5 0C.Body temperature norms in an adult by age

Improvement methods:

  • plentiful warm drink - rosehip decoctions, hot teas;
  • the use of warm soups;
  • the use of warm clothing;
  • using a heating pad during sleep;
  • hot baths with the addition of essential oils;
  • moderate physical activity.

For diseases that provoked a decrease in temperature, appropriate treatment is necessary.

When do you need urgent medical attention?

Urgent medical attention is needed in cases when the low temperature level persists for a long time (more than 1-2 weeks).

Hospitalization of the patient is carried out with a sharp decrease in temperature (hypothermia and a decrease in indicators to 26.5).

It is necessary to periodically measure body temperature, especially in children and elderly patients. If the norm changes and any negative symptoms develop, you should immediately contact a specialist, since the condition can pose a threat to health even for an adult and lead to death.

Video about normal body temperature

Malysheva about the temperature in norm and pathology:

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