How to Measure Your Child's Fever Correctly — Thermometer Type, Where to Check, and Paracetamol Dose

Dr. Sandip Gupta

This video explains how to correctly measure a child's temperature, why touch alone is unreliable, which thermometer to use, where to check it, how much is considered fever, and paracetamol dosing. Why touching isn't enough: Parents often say the child's body or head feels warm but they aren't sure if it's fever, or that the head always feels warm even though the child is playing and eating normally. Judging fever by touch and giving medicine on that basis is a mistake, because it's not accurate — and if you later tell the doctor "the child had fever and I gave medicine" without a number, the doctor can't tell whether it was 99, 101 or 102, and the actual degree matters for judging severity. So using a digital thermometer and charting the readings is important. How to use a digital thermometer (demonstration): For children under 5 years, the doctor recommends checking in the armpit. Switch the thermometer on; when it flashes "Lo," place it properly in the armpit so the sensor touches the skin correctly, and hold it there until it beeps. In the demonstration the reading was 98°F. Below 99°F in the armpit is not considered fever; above 99°F is considered fever. Common mistake: placing the thermometer over clothing — wrong technique. It must be placed directly on the skin, inside the clothes. Three precautions: Clean the thermometer with a clean cloth or cotton before each use. Make sure it's in direct skin contact in the armpit, not over clothes, or the reading will be wrong. If the child won't allow the thermometer in the armpit and gets scared or cries (thinking it might be an injection), it is much easier to check the temperature while the child is sleeping — gently place it in direct skin contact in the armpit. Oral vs armpit temperature: For children above 5 years, you can check either armpit or oral. For oral temperature, place the thermometer under the tongue and have the child hold it between the lips. Oral temperature runs about 1°F higher than armpit temperature — so add 1°F to an armpit reading to compare with oral. Fever thresholds: armpit above 99°F; oral above 100°F; rectal or ear above 100.4°F. The doctor's own practice is to advise checking in the armpit and treating above 99°F as fever. If checking orally, the child should not have eaten or drunk anything very cold or hot within the previous half hour, since that can affect the reading. Which thermometer to use: The doctor prefers to keep things simple and always recommends a digital thermometer — any good company's, with a one-year warranty, costing roughly ₹200–300 (approximate figure), durable, accurate, and easy to use orally or in the armpit. Never use a mercury thermometer — the glass can break causing injury, and children can inhale the mercury, both of which are risky. Infrared/no-contact thermometers, though popular now because children don't fear them and give instant readings, are not as accurate. Rectal and ear thermometers exist but are not easy to use correctly at home, so the doctor doesn't recommend or discuss their technique to avoid confusing parents. Paracetamol dose: The doctor references a separate detailed video on managing fever at home, sponging, and feeding during fever, but gives a quick tip here. Paracetamol comes in different preparations — Calpol drops, syrups at 120 mg/5ml and 250 mg/5ml — so check the strength on the bottle. The general dose is 10 to 15 mg per kg per dose, repeated every 6 to 8 hours. For example, a 10 kg child can be given a 100 mg dose of paracetamol. Relevant for: parents asking whether a warm forehead or body by touch means fever; parents asking which thermometer to buy for their child; parents asking where to check temperature — armpit, mouth, rectal or forehead; parents confused about the difference between oral and armpit fever thresholds; parents whose child won't stay still or gets scared during temperature checks; parents asking whether mercury or infrared thermometers are safe and accurate; and parents asking the correct paracetamol dose by weight and how often it can be repeated. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician for the correct medicine strength and dose for your child, and seek medical attention if the fever is very high, persists, or your child appears unwell.