Is a temp of 99.7 a sign of sickness in a baby?
Answer:
It is nothing to be concerned about. Remember if you take it rectally to subtract one degree to get the ACTUAL reading, and not it is not the actual reading if you do it rectally and get 100.4 and do not subtract one. The correct temperature for a rectal reading of 100.4 is 99.4. It is higher than axilarry or oral because the rectum is warmer that does NOT make it correct unless you subtract a degree. If you take it under the arm make sure you add a degree. I've been in the medical field for 17 years and I have seen this question on both my MA certification exam and my surgical tech certification exam.
You can ask any doctor or any healthcare professional and they will tell you to subtract a degree if taken rectally and add a degree if taken axilary. If that is not how it is supposed to be done then why is that the way they teach you and why is that the way every damn doctor and surgeon and nurse that I've ever come in contact with does it. I'm certified with two degrees and I can tell you that is they way you do it. THE POSTER TELLING YOU NOT TO IS WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.
It could be that they are getting a cold, and elevated temp means they are trying to fight something off or even just teething.
could be, also could be what they are wearing, just keep checking it
Yes, definately it's to close to 100. Take the baby to the hospital now!
Taking your baby's temperature
Learn how to take your baby’s temperature when he/she is well, so you will know how to do it when he/she gets sick.
A digital thermometer is the most accurate to use with your baby. Ear probe thermometers are not recommended for newborns, pacifier thermometers may not be accurate, and glass mercury thermometers are no longer sold in most states. Make sure the package clearly says the thermometer is for rectal or under the arm (axillary) use.
A temperature of 100.4 degrees F or above is considered to be a fever in a newborn.
Taking an axillary temperature
A normal axillary reading is 97.2 to 98.8 degrees F.
Hold the thermometer at a 45-degree angle and place the bulb in the baby’s armpit.
Hold your baby’s arm snugly against his/her side.
Digital thermometers take only a few seconds to read. Refer to the package directions for specific information.
Clean thermometer after each use.
Taking a rectal temperature
Never take a rectal temperature on a premature baby unless your physician has said it is okay. A normal rectal temperature is 97.7 to 99.7 degrees F.
Put a lubricant on the end of the bulb.
Lay your baby on his or her belly, side or back on a firm surface.
Hold your baby still by gently pressing the palm of your hand against the baby’s back just above the buttocks (bottom).
With your other hand, gently insert the thermometer so that just the shiny tip is one-half inch into anal opening.
Clean thermometer after every use.
What should I do if my baby has a fever?
If your baby is less than eight weeks old, call your baby’s doctor right away. Make sure you tell the doctor if the temperature was taken axially or rectally.
Keep clothing to a minimum.
Try to give your baby fluids.
Give the correct dose of Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen), as instructed by your doctor. Never give aspirin.
No, especially if you're taking the baby's temp rectally. Rectal temps tend to be a degree higher than oral, so 99.7 is actually "normal". Don't worry unless baby's temp gets higher than 101.
Yes, normal body temp is 98. so it is a fever.
That's really not a temp to be concerned about. It could be that the temp was taken shortly after eating. Sometimes the body temp goes up when digesting food. It could be the child is swaddled exceedingly well. It could be due to teething. And lastly it could be just a growth spurt in which the body temp goes up slightly. Once you have a temp of 101 then you could assume there is something a little more going on.
MrsZ & Pattypuff (and Staci)are right. Infants can have huge temperature swings in the day. In the near future, see if you can find a La Leche league or some other type of mothers organization that you can use as a resource. Some of the answers you'll get on-line will be from very well meaning, but misinformed people. You need to strike a balance between concern about the child and fretting over all the small stuff, and nothing beats experience.
No, a 99.7 temperature is not a sign of sickness in a baby. As with all humans, our temperatures fluctuate all the time. A 98.6 temperature is just used as a reference point for normal. Everyone does not have a 98.6 normally. Some people's or babies "normal" temperature can be more or less by 1 degree or so. Are there other signs of sickness in the baby? Are they eating normally? Is there vomiting or diarrhea? Is the baby acting normally? Is there any cough? Any difficulty breathing? Any medical history of illness? A temperature is not a single way to determine sickness. In an older child, a temperature of 101 or more can indicate illness; however, it can be a sign of just a virus which will pass on it's own and not need any intervention. In a child less than three months of age, a sign of a temperature and sickness is 100.4 or above. That child would need to be seen right away because in that age it is difficult to determine why the child has a fever, and the child can deteriorate very rapidly. Fever is the body's normal and natural way to fight illness. One would be concerned if there was a temperature over 101 and any other accompanying signs of illness as mentioned above. I would just watch the child, and if you're concerned about a temperature check it regularly and if it goes higher then seek medical attention. But please make sure to medicate your child with Tylenol or Motrin for a fever of 101 or higher. Thank you! (I'm a pediatric emergency room nurse by the way! :)
Oh and somebody mentioned something about taking a rectal temp and that the temperature would be higher and that's the "normal" temp. That is not correct. The most accurate way to take a child's temperature that is not old enough to understand and keep a thermometer under their tongue and mouth closed during the entire temperature reading is to take it rectally, and yes that temperature will be higher than an oral reading or axillary reading or ear reading, but that is the CORRECT reading. It is a core temperature reading from inside the body so if you were to check a rectal temp on an infant less than 3 months of age and get 100.4 or an older child rectally and get 101 or more that would be considered a temperature.
People please! Do not add or subtract anything if you take a temperature rectally. This is the correct and only way to take an accurate temperature on a young infant/child.!
Not neccessarily. If you think about it, that's only 1 degree above normal.
Your temperature is constantly fluctuating. Depending on what you're wearing, the room temperature, etc.
It's absolutely normal for an infant's temperature to be anywhere from 98-102 degrees. Just because their temperature is higher than 98.6 doesn't mean they are sick. A fever isn't even considered a fever until it is over 102.
it is a sign of infection, somewhere in her body. but it is not necessarily a bad thing unless the baby is really young, anything under one month old. i have been told by several doctors that a fever below 101 is actually a good thing because it is the bodies way of getting rid of the infection faster. however, if the baby seems uncomfortable from the fever then you should give them tylenol, we all know how terrible it can feel to have a fever.
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