What is the average underarm temperature for a 5 year old?

Answer 1

A child's body temperature is the same as an adult's body temperature. A normal oral temperature is 98.6 degrees. Forehead or underarm temperature is normally one degree less because it is more exposed to the air which results in less than a core-body temperature, so a normal forehead or underarm temp can be around 97.6.

Note: A high underarm temp should be re-checked orally to confirm a fever. For example, if a forehead or underarm temp is 100.8, the oral temp is likely 101.8.

Rectal temp is sometimes preferred to give a more accurate reading.