Is 99.5 considered a fever?

lissah23

Kieran's been sick for the last week - just a cough and the sniffles, no fever or anything (he's going to the doctor today because it's not getting any better).  Today he felt a little warm so I took his temp and it was 99.5.  Would that be a low grade fever? I have no clue about these things.

Soap1

That is usually not considered a fever, but pediatricians typically go by how the baby is acting/feeling rather than his temperature!

ruffle&rust

Usually they  ( pedi) consider 100.4 or over a fever.

krissyh21

99.5 rectally is considered normal

ETA that if his cough is raspy and not dry, you should have him checked out anyway. RSV is very serious in infants.

MommaD2Be

As PP said, it depends on if you took it rectally or aurally or what - my doc said to subtract a degree if you take rectally, so I would say no.

lissah23

I took it under his arm because he spits the thermometer out if I try to take it orally and I can't bring myself to take it rectally. 

livinreality

I would call your pedi and ask, since in general that is not a fever but you can talk to them about all your concerns.  It also depends on how you take it...

https://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/common/common/069.html

krissyh21

lissah23:

I took it under his arm because he spits the thermometer out if I try to take it orally and I can't bring myself to take it rectally. 

Underarm is very inaccurate, but I was told to add a degree for underarm.

You should take it rectally your pedi may ask you to do this when you call. It is very easy to do, DS does not even feel it. Just put the thermometer in as far so the silver tip is all the way in.