Charting your child’s fever
“Normal” body temperature can vary with age as well as by where on the body the temperature is measured.
How to take your child’s temperature, and what it should be
| AGE | RECOMMENDED TECHNIQUE | NORMAL TEMPERATURE RANGE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth to 2 years | First choice: |
|
rectal | 36.6 °C to 38 °C (97.9 °F to 100.4 °F) |
| Second choice: |
|
armpit | 36.5 °C to 37.5 °C (97.8 °F to 99.5 °F) | |
| 2 to 5 years | First choice: |
|
rectal | 36.6 °C to 38 °C (97.9 °F to 100.4 °F) |
| Second choices: |
|
ear | 35.8 °C to 38 °C (96.4 °F to 100.4 °F) | |
|
|
armpit | 36.5 °C to 37.5 °C (97.8 °F to 99.5 °F) | ||
| 5+ years | First choice: |
|
mouth | 35.5. °C to 37.5 °C (95.9 °F to 99.5 °F) |
| Second choices: |
|
ear | 35.8 °C to 38 °C (96.4 °F to 100.4 °F) | |
|
|
armpit | 36.5 °C to 37.5 °C (97.8 °F to 99.5 °F) | ||
Caution
If your child’s fever persists for more than 3 days, if your child is in pain for more than 5 days, or if new symptoms appear, talk to your doctor.