2006-11-24 19:00:34 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
98.6F or 37C is an average body temperature, the key word being average. Some people are warmer some people are cooler nobody seems to concerned if your in the 99.5 or lower temp region and if you 99.5-100 is only a concern when you have had it for several days because it may mean you have a systemic bacterial infection as your body ups its temperature in response to a invader to the host(body). FYI their is no difference between having a temperature and having a fever.
2006-11-24 19:14:09 · answer #1 · answered by yellowkayak 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My normal body temp is 97.2. I discovered this by daily taking my temp over a period of time. Because I have a chronic illness, my doctors are aware of my normal temp, so that they know when I have a temp of 98.6 and higher, I actually have a fever. I also inform medical staff of this if I am treated at an urgent care or emergency center.
Occassionally a person will have a body temp that is warmer than the "normal" 98.6. Personally, I feel it is important to be aware of what your normal body temp is, so that you know for certain what constitutes a too high (or too low) temp for YOUR body.
Generally speaking, a lowgrade fever is a temp of 1 degree over normal body temp, while a fever from illness or infection might run 2-4 degrees beyond normal. Any temperature 4 degrees above normal temp, especially in adults, needs to be checked out by a doctor. Children tend to run higher temps, but a 103 degree temp for over 24 hours, or a higher temp for any time, needs a doc visit.
2006-11-24 19:15:36 · answer #2 · answered by Pichi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A fever is defined medically as any oral temperature above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, however, to be medically acute it must be 1-2 degrees Celsius (1.8-3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above the person's normal temperature for that time of day. Body temperature varies during the day, witht he lowest point being 4 a.m and the highest point being 6 p.m.. In general, a temperature of greater than 100 degrees would suggest the person has a fever, but again the threshold will vary from person to person.
2006-11-24 19:14:48 · answer #3 · answered by mortis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any elevation above 98.6 F. would be considered at least a slight fever. However, 98.6 F. is not always someone's normal body temperature. It can vary slightly and be less than that or more than that and be a person's normal temperature.
2006-11-24 19:03:54 · answer #4 · answered by KIT J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My general rule is: if your temp is over 100 you ARE sick. If it's less than that you still may be sick, it's a judgement call. Temperatures can fluctuate for a multitude of reasons. Technically anything over 98.6 is a fever, but with the inaccuracy of the devices you can never really know.
2006-11-24 19:14:51 · answer #5 · answered by Tyler 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A elevated temperature is the body's way of literally cooking the invading virus it is a natural defense unfortunately the elevated temperature can actually eventually start to overheat the brain and other vital organs which result in hallucinations and eventually death
2006-11-24 19:06:44 · answer #6 · answered by mojo755 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most peoples "normal" temp is hardly ever 98.6
fever is over 100 generally.
2006-11-24 19:02:47 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
about 99 is a small feaver 107 approaching death
2006-11-24 19:02:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's 98.7 or above, it's a fever.
2006-11-24 19:01:55 · answer #9 · answered by littlechrismary 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋