Is 37.5°C considered a fever?
Jun 04, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Fever generally refers to an elevated body temperature. If measured under the armpit, a temperature of 37.5°C is usually considered fever; however, if the rectal temperature is 37.5°C, it may not be classified as fever. When a patient develops a fever, it is recommended to visit the appropriate department at a hospital to determine the specific underlying cause. If there are no discomforts in other parts of the body, the patient may first focus on resting and apply physical cooling methods to reduce the temperature.
Fever generally refers to an elevated body temperature. If measured under the armpit, a temperature of 37.5°C is usually considered fever; however, if the rectal temperature is 37.5°C, it may not be considered fever. When a patient develops a fever, it is recommended to visit the appropriate department at a hospital to determine the exact underlying cause. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Considered fever
Under normal circumstances, the average axillary (underarm) body temperature ranges between 36°C and 37°C. When the axillary temperature reaches 37.5°C, it is typically indicative of a fever. Patients should, under a doctor's guidance, use medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, acetaminophen tablets, or cefixime tablets to help reduce the fever.
2. May not be considered fever
The normal range for rectal temperature is 36.5–37.7°C. If the rectal temperature is 37.5°C and the individual has no other symptoms of discomfort, it is generally not considered fever. It is recommended to rest appropriately, drink warm water promptly to promote metabolism, and then re-measure the temperature.
If there are no discomforts in other parts of the body, patients may first focus on resting and apply physical cooling methods, such as wiping the armpits with a towel, to help lower body temperature.
