How To Tell If You Have A Fever Without A Thermometer

Fevers are some of the most common complaints in homes. Their occurrence increases significantly when there is a child at home having topped as the most commonly reported concern in the Pediatric Emergency Unit(PEU). A fever is the body’s way of fighting an illness. Usually, a fever is caused by a viral or bacterial infection but the cause may also be undefined.

A body temperature of above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.0 degrees Celsius) in adults is considered a fever. Using a thermometer remains the most accurate way of knowing your temperature, but what happens when you do not have access to one in your proximity?

It does not call for you to panic as you can easily learn how to tell if you have a fever without a thermometer. The symptoms, however, may become tricky to identify in children as compared to adults.

So, let’s dive into the different ways of how you can tell that you have a fever.

How do you to tell if you have a fever?

1. Feel your forehead or neck using your hand

This is the most common way to check your body temperature and determine whether you have a fever or not without the use of a thermometer. If you feel your forehead or neck’s temperature to be higher than usual, then you run the risk of having a fever.

It is advised that you use the back of your hand and not your palm since your palm may not be as sensitive.

Keep in mind that this cannot accurately determine whether you have a fever but remains a good guide to tell whether you are running on one.

2. Take a look at your skin

This is another way of how to tell if you have a fever without a thermometer. Mostly, the skin on your cheeks and on your face will turn red or flush caused by the dilation of your blood vessels. This is however difficult to tell if the person’s skin is dark.

A cold washcloth may help you feel relieved when you fell your skin to be flushed.

3. Check if you are shivering or feeling cold

With a fever, you may realize that you are feeling cold while everyone else is okay with the temperature. This may get worse and you start to shiver which would be a clear indication that you may be having a fever.

Also, you may realize that you are starting to sweat, even when the temperature is against a person sweating.

These are symptoms that can tell you that you have a fever without picking up a thermometer.

4. Notice whether you are feeling fatigued or lethargic

A fever is most of the times accompanied by a feeling of fatigue which will be indicated by slow movement or slow speech. You may also feel like you want to spend the whole day on your bed.

In children, it may even get to a loss of appetite.

5. Check if you are having body aches of any sort

Fevers are accompanied by headaches and body aches. If you are experiencing these pains, it might be and an indication that you are having a fever especially if you are experiencing one of the above signs.

Now, you know that even without that thermometer in your house, you can be able to determine whether you or your child may be running on a fever. However, it is recommended that you get a thermometer to accurately determine whether you have a fever. Also, be on the lookout for seizures which may occur when your temperature is too high. Reach for medical attention when you get these symptoms.