How High Is Your Fever... Abroad?

To be fair, the metric system is more efficient

Recently, a friend of mine went to a doctor in Mexico. While she was being examined she explained that the night before, her fever was 101 degrees. The doctor looked shocked, then a bit puzzled. Finally he asked her, "How much is that in Centigrade?"

Fortunately, it was no big deal, but if you're dealing with an emergency you are not going to want to spend precious time "translating" numbers. So, here's a quick guide for you. You can memorize the numbers that apply to you or print the guide and carry it in your purse or wallet

Weight: The rule for a good approximation is 1 pound equals 1/2 kilogram. But if you need more exact information, here are some quick equivalences.

Pounds           Kilograms
100                 45.36
110                 49.85
120                 54.43
130                 58.97
140                 63.50
150                 68.39
160                 72.57
170                 77.11
180                 81.64
190                 86.18
200                 90.71
210                 95.25
220                 99.79
230                 104.32
240                 108.86
250                 113.40
260                 117.93
270                 122.47

Height

Feet and inches            Meters
5'                                 1.52
5'4"                              1.62
5'8"                              1.72                             
6'                                 1.93
6'8"                              2.03

Temperature: Here is the range for detecting a fever.

Fahrenheit                   Celcius
98.6                             37
99                                37.22
99.5                             37.5
100                              37.78
100.5                           38.06
101                              38.33
101.5                           38.61
102                              38.89
102.5                           39.17
103                              39.44
103.5                           39.72
104                              40

When living abroad, it's best to understand the metric system, since most of the world uses it. Remember, it's you who has to adapt to the local culture, not the other way around.

--

Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works.