How To Tell If You Have A Fever Without A Thermometer

It makes sense then, that a fever (which, btw, is any reading above 37.5C,) is one of the first signs of COVID-19. But what are you supposed to do if you can’t get your hands on a thermometer? And how are you supposed to definitively determine whether or not you’ve been exposed?

The good news is there are other ways to effectively monitor this – and, despite what you’re probably thinking, touching your forehead isn’t one of them.

“If you don’t have a thermometer and you want to get a feel for someone’s temperature then touching their forehead isn’t actually such a great indicator,” clinical nurse consultant Emma Selby told Cosmopolitan UK.

“Using the back of your hand, feel their chest and back; if they feel hotter than is usual for them, they may have a high temperature.”

You can often spot physical changes in those suffering with a fever too.

“Typically, if someone has a temperature they will look quite flushed with red cheeks or a red chest. They can also experience sweating and feeling hot,” she continued. However, this isn’t always the case… Ever heard of a cold sweat or felt so frozen that all of the blankets in the world won’t help?

“For some people, when they get a fever they experience what we call ‘chills,’” Emma explained. “If you or a loved one is complaining of a feeling very cold when no one else is, there is a good chance they have a fever.”

Of course, when talking about coronavirus, it’s important to take all symptoms into account. The most common are as follows: persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, anosmia and ageusia (sudden loss of taste or smell.)

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