Shanti Devi Shanti Devi Asked 9 months ago

What underarm temperature is a fever?

My little one has been feeling warm, and I took her temperature under her arm. I'm never quite sure what temperature range is considered a fever when taking it that way. What underarm temperature indicates a fever in children?

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12 answers

Priya Sharma Priya Sharma Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago
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Oh, I just recovered from a viral and was checking my temp constantly. Underarm readings are generally a bit lower than oral. For adults, anything consistently above 99°F (37.2°C) underarm usually indicates a fever, but doctors mostly consider 100°F (37.8°C) or higher as proper fever. Mine was around 101°F when I actually felt sick.

Neha Sharma Neha Sharma Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

I was just wondering this myself! Apparently, a normal underarm temp is around 97.6°F (36.4°C). So, anything above 99°F (37.2°C) is often considered a low-grade fever, and definitely above 100°F (37.8°C) is a fever. It's usually a degree lower than oral temperature, so good to keep that in mind.

Rajesh Khanna Rajesh Khanna Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Don't just rely on the number; how you feel is also important. For underarm, if it's consistently above 99°F (37.2°C), it's something to watch. If it goes above 100°F (37.8°C) or you feel very unwell, you should definitely see a doctor. I ignored a low-grade fever once, and it turned into a bad infection. Better to be safe.

Rahul Das Rahul Das Joined Feb 2026 9 months ago

For underarm temperature, a reading above 99°F (37.2°C) is usually considered a fever. Hope you're feeling okay.

Deepika Sharma Deepika Sharma Joined May 2026 5 months ago

It can be really stressful when you're constantly checking temperatures and worrying. Generally, an underarm temperature above 99°F (37.2°C) suggests a fever. But if it's consistently around 100°F (37.8°C) or higher, it's definitely a fever. And remember, if you feel unwell, it's okay to feel concerned. Always trust your instincts and consult a doctor.

Vijay Kumar Vijay Kumar Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

Underarm temperature? It's always a couple of points lower than oral, so don't get tricked! Generally, anything over 99°F (37.2°C) in the armpit is considered a low fever. But if it's 100°F (37.8°C) or more, then you're officially 'feverish'. Time for some chai and rest, no heroic work from home calls!

Ankit Singh Ankit Singh Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

I used to panic every time my underarm temp touched 99°F! But my doctor said underarm is slightly lower than oral. Anything consistently above 99°F (37.2°C) is a low-grade fever, but a proper fever is usually considered 100°F (37.8°C) or above. So don't worry too much unless it's really high or you feel very sick.

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Sumit Verma Sumit Verma Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

This is something I constantly overthink about! So for underarm, anything consistently over 99°F (37.2°C) can be considered a fever. But doctors usually take 100°F (37.8°C) or more as a proper fever. Just remember, underarm readings are slightly lower than oral. If you're feeling unwell, don't just rely on the thermometer, consult a doctor.

Ananya Joshi Ananya Joshi Joined Mar 2026 8 months ago

For underarm, a temperature above 99°F (37.2°C) is generally considered a fever! 😊 So, if your thermometer shows higher than that, it's time for some rest and maybe a paracetamol. Always good to check in with a doctor if it's too high or not going down! ✨

Gopal Krishna Gopal Krishna Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Keeping track of body temperature is important, especially for those with underlying conditions like diabetes. For underarm, usually, a reading above 99°F (37.2°C) is considered a fever. If it's 100°F (37.8°C) or higher, it's definitely a fever. Don't self-medicate, consult your doctor to understand the cause and get proper treatment.

Kabir Khan Kabir Khan Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

A fever is the body's way of saying 'no more junk food for a while'! 😂 For underarm, typically if it's over 99°F (37.2°C), you're running a bit warm. If it hits 100°F (37.8°C) or above, it's a proper fever. Time to swap the biryani for khichdi and get some rest!

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