Carrollton, GA
A 52-year-old male asked:

Why is my temperature 103.4 when outside in the sun using a forehead infrared thermometer and 98.2 inside about 20 minutes later? which temperature is correct? do i have a fever?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Yvette Kratzberg
Pediatrics 26 years experience
Inside, at rest, no.: Forehead infrared thermometers measure the radiant heat coming from your skin. Outside in the sun, the results are skewed by the increased surface temperature being absorbed and reflected from the sunlight. The best and most accurate way to measure your temp with this kind of thermometer is inside, at rest. That temperature is more likely to accurately reflect your core internal temp.
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Last updated Dec 30, 2020

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