Is a body temperature of 37.6℃ considered a low-grade fever?
Jan 17, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guo Xiheng
Introduction
If a patient's body temperature is 37.6°C, it is generally considered a low-grade fever and is not serious. A temperature of 37.6°C exceeds the normal body temperature of 37.3°C, indicating the presence of a fever. Since a low-grade fever is defined as a temperature between 37.3°C and 38°C, 37.6°C falls within this range. Typically, a low-grade fever is not severe. The patient can drink more warm water to replenish fluids lost in the body.
If a patient's body temperature is 37.6℃, it is generally considered a low-grade fever and not serious. The patient does not need to worry excessively and can relieve physical discomfort through daily adjustments and physical treatments.
Body temperature refers to the internal temperature of the human body. In healthy individuals, body temperature is usually relatively stable, but it may vary depending on factors such as measurement site, time of day, season, and individual differences. A temperature exceeding 37.3℃ is generally considered abnormal and indicative of fever. Low-grade fever, defined by oral temperature, ranges from 37.3℃ to 38℃ and can be categorized into infectious, non-infectious, and functional types. Patients may also experience symptoms such as coughing, sputum production, abdominal pain, diarrhea, frequent urination, or urgency of urination.
When a patient’s temperature reaches 37.6℃, it exceeds the normal threshold of 37.3℃ and indicates a febrile state. Since low-grade fever ranges from 37.3℃ to 38℃, a temperature of 37.6℃ falls within this category. Generally, low-grade fever is not severe. Patients are advised to drink plenty of warm water to replenish lost fluids. Additionally, they can use warm towels to wipe areas such as palms, soles, and armpits, apply fever-reducing patches, or perform cool compresses on the forehead to effectively promote heat dissipation.
Note that if the patient's condition does not improve and the temperature rises above 38.5℃, medications such as ibuprofen tablets, acetaminophen tablets, or aspirin enteric-coated tablets should be taken according to medical advice for treatment.
