Is 37.6°C considered a fever for adults?
Nov 21, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Is 37.6°C considered a fever in adults? Whether 37.6°C constitutes a fever depends on the method of measurement.
- When measured under the armpit, normal body temperature ranges from 36 to 37°C; thus, 37.6°C is considered a fever.
- When measured orally, normal temperature ranges from 36.3 to 37.2°C; therefore, 37.6°C exceeds the normal range and is considered a fever.
- When measured rectally, normal temperature ranges from 36.5 to 37.7°C; hence, 37.6°C does not exceed the upper limit and is not considered a fever.
Does an adult body temperature of 37.6°C count as a fever? This depends on the method used to measure body temperature. Common methods include axillary (underarm), oral (mouth), and rectal (rectum) measurements.
1. Axillary Measurement
When measuring temperature under the armpit, the normal body temperature range for adults is between 36–37°C. A temperature above 37.2°C indicates fever. Therefore, an adult temperature of 37.6°C exceeds the normal range and is considered a fever, specifically a low-grade fever.
2. Oral Measurement
When measuring temperature orally, the normal range for healthy individuals is between 36.3–37.2°C. A reading of 37.6°C exceeds this normal range and indicates fever, classified as a low-grade fever.
3. Rectal Measurement
When measuring temperature rectally, the normal range is 36.5–37.7°C; a temperature above 37.7°C is considered a fever. In this case, an adult temperature of 37.6°C remains within the normal range and therefore does not constitute a fever.
