Does a body temperature of 37°C constitute a fever in adults?
Disease description:
I’ve had a runny nose and a mild cough these past few days, and I think I might have caught a cold. I also took my temperature, which was 37°C. Is 37°C considered a fever in adults?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Guo Xiheng
A body temperature of 37°C in adults is not considered a fever. Using axillary (underarm) temperature as the reference standard, the normal axillary temperature range is 36–37°C. An axillary temperature above 37°C indicates fever. To determine whether body temperature falls within the normal range, axillary measurement is recommended. Normal temperature ranges vary depending on the measurement site, with the most common sites being the rectum, axilla, and sublingual (under the tongue) area. The normal rectal temperature range is 36.5–37.7°C, and the normal oral temperature range is 36.3–37.2°C.
