Is a body temperature of 37.3°C considered a fever in elderly individuals?

Generally speaking, fever refers to an elevated body temperature. Whether a temperature of 37.3℃ in elderly individuals indicates a fever needs to be determined based on specific circumstances. If the elderly person has no other discomfort symptoms, it may not be considered a fever. However, if the temperature remains at 37.3℃ and is accompanied by symptoms of discomfort, it might indicate a fever. In such cases, medical consultation is recommended for timely treatment. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Normal body temperature varies depending on the measurement site. The normal range for axillary (underarm) temperature is 36.0-37.0℃, while the normal range for oral (mouth) temperature is 36.3-37.2℃. If an elderly person typically has a lower baseline body temperature and occasionally records a temperature of 37.3℃ without other apparent symptoms such as fatigue, headache, or cough, this may represent only a slight increase in temperature and not necessarily a fever. In such cases, observing the elderly person's mental state and eating habits can help determine whether further action is necessary.

If the elderly individual's temperature persists at 37.3℃ or higher and is accompanied by other symptoms like headache, fatigue, cough, sputum production, or runny nose, it may indicate a low-grade fever. In this situation, timely medical consultation is recommended to undergo relevant examinations to identify the cause of the fever and implement appropriate treatment measures.

In daily life, elderly individuals should maintain healthy lifestyle and dietary habits to enhance their immune system and prevent illness.