Just want to make a point about temperature. I had to call 111 on Monday, who immediately noted name/address etc. A new call from a health professional followed who discussed my symptoms and referred me back to my GP for further action, if any. Very efficient and calming.
Apparantly the three main symptoms examined by telephone are the seriousness of your headache, how much coughing (and what colour is the phlegm) and finally your current temperature.
Online analyses indicate that you definitely have a fever with a temperature over 38C. As this is an important parameter in the current epidemic, I wonder how many of you know what is your 'good health' basic normal temperature. The reason I ask is that I, as my father before me, have a low basic temperature. When asked by professionals on the telephone to give your temperature, it is important to give them the actual reading and then emphasise that your 'normal' is low, and by how much.
As example, my base 'normal' temperature is 36.6C, which is 0.4C below normal for most people. When my current reading is 37.3C, this must be adjusted by the below normal base figure of 0.4C, to make sense of the quoted figures for good and bad health. This smeans that that I am virtually running at 37.7, which is getting close to 'fever' at 38+C.
statistics: I am 88, PMR from 2011, currently sticking at 5.5mg pred. I am sel-isolating for 7 days
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petros31
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Hi, I started taking my temp as I thought I may have thyroid issues.. Which I did. My normal is usually around 35.4 so if I am 37 I know I am about to have something going on. Its a really good point to make and something practical people can do. 👍🌻.... 35.8 at the moment
I’m actually very impressed that you have all ‘converted’ so well - if an NHS advisor asked me my normal temperature, answering “pretty standard 98.4” might cause confusion.
Perhaps I’d better start reading up on the conversion figures...
Thanks Poopadoopy - of course I knew it had all changed since I left nursing but I still have my GP father’s thermometer and it works perfectly so see no reason to buy another (even if the shops weren’t empty)
Whichever numbers you use, the important thing is that it will confirm whether or not I have a fever.
Talking of empty shops, we’ve all heard the expression “going to hell in a handcart”. What I never expected was to find the latest model of handcart apparently will come equipped with loo rolls, pasta, paracetamol hand gel, thermometers... and very little else. Not an inviting prospect...
my norm is 97.6 so 1 degree low. I have only had a fever 3 times in my life!!! so if i get a fever I will KNOW something is wrong! Good luck to us all!
This is a very good point and has been an issue for me with Flu and infections for years as my temperature runs low , usually between 33-34.
That meant for years if I hit 38/39 I was definitely in full blown fever mode , but so many GPs won't believe you until it is written in your notes , in my area they aren't interested in you unless it's 40+. Quite a hard position to be put in when part of the course of my low immunity means many weeks of pretty severe symptoms with even a common cold.
Last year , after yet another struggle in A and E , I finally went in to the GP and asked them to take my temperature to prove it was low as normal . They did this a few times over a number of weeks , my main practice GP was the most sceptical of all over the years . Never reached above 35 . So now it's written in the foreword to my notes.
34.1 currently , and I've got my clay heat backwrap and a big woolly on.
The girls are both in the low 35s too , it must be linked to the EDS probably adds to the Raynaud's , it has a name but I can't remember it now . I usually free very warm or have a cold on a normal temperature.
Thank you. Clear advice in a world that seems to get crazier by the minute. I’ve been an expert at self isolation for years. Oh no I think that’s called being a hermit 😂
Good point. Mine is 36.5 & I have been ill in hospital with no great rise in temp & all nurses & doctors confused as they said I should have a raging temperature. Sadly, I found they wouldn’t accept me saying my temp is always low, even when I once had very bad flu. Sometimes Not being ‘normal’ isn’t easy! Hope you feel better soon. We have been self isolating since 1 February for other reasons than this virus, & are somewhat used to it! S x
I managed to get a digital thermometer via EBay (UK) this week. Like others I decided to see what my normal body temperature is and it's also low at 35 deg C. Hearing that other PMR folk also have the same normal body temperature has got me thinking. I wonder if it's because of our depressed Hypothalamic function (part of the HPA axis which is affected by being on pred). The hypothalamus controls body temperature, among other things. I had a quick look to see if there were any papers on the subject but none specifically relating to our circumstances. Any of my scientific colleagues here have an opinion?
I have exactly the same issues. My normal temperature is 35.5 - 36. So low that when I was training as a nurse, they used to bring out thermometers designed to measure lower temperatures. I tell every professional that wants my temp, but must of them just smile, shrug and say "oh it's fine, 37, perfectly normal" I've given up.
I wouldn't worry - now they all depend on the forehead or ear testing. Both of which are inadequate. My husband's medical physics department did a study on the ear things before the NHS adopted them - told them how unreliable they are. But as experts they were ignored ...
My normal temperature is 36.7, yet today was 35.6! Pleased to hear I’m not alone and yes health professionals don’t think anything of it!
Thank you petros31, I have often wondered where I stand as they say "if you have a temperature of 38" for covid - my 'normal' is 36, so I thought maybe I should be worried if my temp. goes up to 37 - which is normally normal - or is it that I had a 1 degree leeway!!!!
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