Even though a thermometer is the best way to measure body temperature, you aren’t SOL if you don’t have one nearby. There are a few ways to assess whether or not you have a fever without a ...

If you’re not feeling well, it’s understandable to wonder if you have a fever. But if you don’t have a thermometer laying around, that can be a tricky task.

You would likely use this or another type of thermometer when you suspect that you or someone in your care has a fever. Temporal artery thermometers are especially quick to show results.

If you suspect that you have a fever but don’t have a thermometer around (and don’t feel like investing in one), doctors say there are a few signs of a fever to look out for: You feel off.

Put the thermometer in their armpit and gently hold their arm against their body. Hold in place according to the thermometer’s instructions. Usually, this is around 15 seconds. Read the display.

As for the borderline conditions—a temperature of, say, 101 or 99 or 100.4—your hand won’t name his fever with as much precision as a good thermometer would.

A fever is generally agreed to be a temperature of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or above and might be a symptom of a viral or bacterial infection. A low-grade fever has a lower cutoff of 99.5 °F (37.5 °C).

If you suspect that you have a fever but don’t have a thermometer around (and don’t feel like investing in one), doctors say there are a few signs of a fever to look out for: You feel off.