Should checking your temperature on a regular basis be something that is encouraged?

[Flaleftist]

Is it possible to have a fever and minimal symptoms and be contagious and not realise it? I have seen some mention of it, but it doesn't seem like it is something that people are really being encouraged to do.

[PoliticAverse]

1. It's possible be infected and contagioius without having any symptoms (including no fever).

The Chinese are pretty much checking everyone's temperature everywhere (including at the entrance to many stores).

[Salviati]

2. Fever is supposed to be the most common symptom, so it seems like people should be encouraged...

In the absence of widespread testing it seems like it would likely be the first indication.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. Probably not, unless you have good reason to think you have a fever.

It's bad enough that people are freaking out over normal allergies, colds, and even run of the mill influenza. Let's not encourage them to have something else to obsess over.

[milestogo]

4. Yeah, but having real data will make some of us less worried.

Today I got the thermometer I ordered a few weeks ago. I've been waking up every day with a slightly sore throat and worrying that I have caught this. Generally I feel better when I've been up for a while and had a glass of water. Then I think its just the dry air in my apartment.

Now that I have a thermometer I can check my temp and feel reassured that my throat is just dry.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

11. I would have thought most people would already own a thermometer.

I have one. I don't bother with it unless I feel as if I might have a fever, which is never. Every so often, as in once every other year or so, I take my temperature just out of curiosity, to see how close it is the mythical norm, which I forget what that's supposed to be these days.

So if taking your temperature reassures you, then do so. But I think encouraging everyone to monitor their temperature obsessively isn't really a good thing.

[Flaleftist]

8. It seems like it would be a good idea for anyone with a fever to isolate.

[allnews]

5. If working with many people

It couldn’t hurt. Mine is checked daily before I can enter the premises as is hundreds of coworkers.

[canetoad]

6. We're (Australia) still weeks behind

The spread of infection in the US, but a couple of weeks ago I purchased a little digital thermometer and once a day, about lunchtime I take my temperature. Happily so far, it seems to be on the low side.

I don't consider myself to be panicked or obsessed, but I'd really like to know early if I have coronavirus.

[Ms. Toad]

7. Yes - unless you are staying at home.

The essential businesses in Ohio are all supposed to either check employee temperatures at the door - or require their employees to check before coming in.

The theory is they could have mild symptoms, not know it, and pass it on to their customers. The exact same reasoning applies to everyone who is not strictly isolating.

[tavernier]

9. I am a nurse of 45+ years and not sure how much good this does

but I told all my friends to find a thermometer and take their temps daily to establish a baseline. People run temps all over the place, but your doc or ER can determine if you need a test based on your baseline readings.

[magicarpet]

10. If you feel illness coming on,

then I would start a chart. Temp 4x a day and share with your PCP. Maybe little notes how you felt at each recording. Nice to take an active roll in personal health maintenance, just don't go all hypochondria or some such.

[JHB]

12. I think the main benefit would be psychological rather than any real diagnostic value

"I'm feeling warm. Is it a fever, or has the temperature in my workspace just crept up again?"

(takes temperature, gets answer, shugs, turns on mini-fan)

[Quixote1818]

13. It can't hurt. I took mine the other day when I had to stay with friends

just to play it safe. Didn't want to bring anything into their home.

[GulfCoast66]

14. I can only speak for myself. But I immediately know when I have a fever.

My normal temperature is 97.7 or so. If my temperature is 99 I am really sick.

Just took it now. 97.9. But I’m sitting outside on a warm night smoking a cigar.

It used to freak my mother out when she took my temperature and it as below 98. And there were numerous times she sent me to school when I claimed I was sick but my temperature was around 99. I was miserable.

Thankfully we know realize there is no ‘normal’.

[RobinA]

15. Yeah, Really

Do people not know when they have a fever? You feel like crap.

[Strelnikov_]

16. Worked in China

as one of their measures. Every bit helps.

Also, it's allergy season. Crappy and no fever, probably allergies and not Capt. Trumps.