Body temperature allows the evaluation of the efficiency of heat regulation which occurs in the human body with changes in the surrounding temperature and intensification of the activity. The peripheral temperature (skin, mucous membranes, muscles, limbs, etc.) is variable. The normal body temperature of a person varies depending on gender, recent activity, consumption of food and fluids, time of day and, in women, their current menstrual cycle phase. OneHowTo.com wants to explain if a body temperature of 40.3 - 40.4 - 40.5 degrees C is normal or not.
Adult body temperature
A person is considered to have fever if they have an axillary temperature above 38 degrees Celsius. Therefore, a body temperature of 40.3 - 40.4 to 40.5 means high fever. Fever should be understood as a defence mechanism of the body, warning us that something is happening; therefore it is important to seek medical advice. Normal adult human body temperature varies between 36.5-37.5 or more. General rules:- Hypothermia, when the temperature is less than 36.- Feverishness, when the temperature is between 37.1 to 37.9- Hyperthermia or fever, when the temperature is more than 38.
Body temperature in children
A body temperature of 40.3 - 40.4 - 40.5 in children is high and immediate action must be taken - the child should see a doctor urgently. Children should normally have a maximum temperature of 37.5 until they are 3 years old and 37 until they are 6 years old.
Axillary temperature
A person is considered to have fever if they have an Axillary Temperature above 38 degrees Celsius. Therefore, a body temperature of 40.3 - 40.4 to 40.5 means high fever.
Oral temperature
If the patient has an oral temperature higher than 38 degrees Celsius, they have a fever. With this in mind, a body temperature of 40.3 - 40.4 to 40.5 means high fever. Oral temperature should be measured in all patients, except those who are unconscious, suffering from mental confusion, seizures, nasal, mouth or throat condition, or children under 6 years.
Rectal temperature
A person is considered to have fever if they have a Rectal Temperature higher than 38.5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, a body temperature of 40.3 - 40.4 -40.5 means high fever. The result is normally 0.5 to 0.7°C higher tan oral temperature. Rectal temperature is recommended for patients younger than 6 years.
Influences on body temperature
Several factors affect body temperature and can change temperature by some tenths, but a body temperature below 35 degrees is quite alarming. The constitution of the individual, especially the degree of obesity; age, especially in the elderly and sick. Other external factors that may make someone's temperature hot: acclimatization also known as adaptation; the degree of atmospheric humidity: more moisture increases the difficulty of absorbing produced perspiration; clothing: the most damaging is dark and thick; the presence of diseases that impair sweating: diabetes, heart, lung and kidney impairment; diseases that increased heat production: infections, hyperthyroidism and those that are accompanied by fever; use of certain drugs: sedatives, amphetamines and antidepressants, mainly; psychopathy and states of acute or chronic alcohol abuse that decrease heat tolerance.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
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- Axillary temperature should be taken with thermometer in that region for approximately four (4) minutes.