You may have heard that the “normal” body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). But this number is only an average. Your body temperature may be slightly higher or lower. Show
A body temperature reading above or below the average doesn’t automatically mean you’re sick. Several factors can influence your body temperature, including your age, sex, time of day, and activity level. Read on to learn more about healthy body temperature ranges for babies, kids, adults, and older adults. Your body’s ability to regulate temperature changes as you get older. People over the age of 64 generally have more trouble adjusting to sudden changes in temperature as quickly as younger people. In general, older people have more difficulty conserving heat. They’re also more likely to have lower body temperatures. Below are average body temperatures based on age, according to a review of studies and older research: Identifying your normal range can make it easier to know when you have a fever. Keep in mind that average body temperature varies from person to person. Your body temperature might be up to 1°F (0.6°C) higher or lower than the guidelines above. There are four different ways to take your or a family member’s temperature. However, the reading can vary from one method to the next. The chart below shows which method is recommended for each age group: You may have had your temperature checked under your arm, in the armpit. This method isn’t as accurate and not recommended. German doctor Carl Wunderlich identified the average body temperature of 98.6°F (37°C) during the 19th century. However, many studies have since determined that that isn’t always the case. A 2019 study found that the average body temperature is 97.86°F (36.59°C). That’s a little lower than initially thought so many years ago. However, it’s best to take this information with a grain of salt since no single number defines your average body temperature. Instead, it’s best to look at a temperature range that may be higher or lower than the average. Here are some of the factors that affect body temperature:
A higher-than-normal thermometer reading can be a sign of a fever. The American College of Critical Care Medicine identifies a temperature of 100.9°F (38.3°C) or higher as a fever. As mentioned previously, the exact reading is dependent upon a few factors. If your temperature’s elevated above the normal range described earlier in the article, you may have a fever. In general, a reading that’s 2°F (1.1°C) above your normal temperature is usually a sign of a fever. Fevers can be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, including:
Our bodies have a built-in temperature control system. This operation raises the body temperature in response to disease and infection that you can sometimes fight without any intervention. With time and rest, your body temperature will likely return to normal without treatment. With babies and younger children, it can be hard to know when to speak with a doctor. Call your pediatrician if:
Seek medical care if your baby or child has a fever and:
If you feel your child should be seen by a medical professional, then trust your gut and have them checked out. Hypothermia is a serious condition that occurs when you lose too much body heat. For adults, a body temperature that dips below 95°F (35°C) is a sign of hypothermia. Most people associate hypothermia with being outside in cold weather for long periods of time. But hypothermia can occur indoors, too. Babies and older adults are more susceptible. For babies, hypothermia can occur when their body temperature is 97°F (36.1°C) or lower. Hypothermia can also be a concern in a poorly heated house in winter or an air-conditioned room in summer. Other signs and symptoms of hypothermia include:
See a doctor if you have a low body temperature with any of the symptoms above. A fever isn’t usually a cause for concern. The fever goes away with a few days of rest most of the time. However, seek treatment when your fever climbs too high, lasts too long, or is accompanied by more severe symptoms. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms. They might perform or order tests to determine the cause of the fever. Treating the cause of the fever can help your body temperature return to normal. On the other hand, a low body temperature can also cause concern. Hypothermia can be life threatening if left untreated. Seek medical assistance as soon as you notice signs of hypothermia. Your doctor will use a standard clinical thermometer to diagnose hypothermia and check for physical signs. In addition, they may use a low-reading rectal thermometer if needed. In some cases, your doctor may order a blood test to confirm the cause of your hypothermia or to check for infection. In mild cases, hypothermia may be harder to diagnose but easier to treat. Heated blankets and warm fluids can restore heat. Other treatments include blood rewarming and warmed intravenous fluids for more severe cases. Read this article in Spanish. Which occurs when body temperature is lower than the normal average of 37 degree Celsius?Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia (hi-poe-THUR-me-uh) occurs as your body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C).
Which occurs when body temperature is lower than the normal average of 37 degrees Celsius a diarrhea b hydration C hyperthermia D hypothermia?Hypothermia occurs when the body's temperature falls below 35 °C. The human body has a number of systems that maintain a constant core temperature of around 37 °C.
What happens when the body temperature falls below 37 C?Normal body temperature is 98.6° F (37° C). Hypothermia is a medical emergency. When a person's body temperature is dangerously low, the brain and body cannot function properly. Left untreated, hypothermia can lead to cardiac arrest (heart stops beating) and death.
Which occurs when body temperature is rises than the normal average of 37 degrees Celsius?For practical clinical purposes, a patient is considered febrile or pyrexial if the oral temperature exceeds 37.5°C (99.5°F) or the rectal temperature exceeds 38°C (100.5°F). Hyperpyrexia is the term applied to the febrile state when the temperature exceeds 41.1°C (or 106°F).
|