get_nuts

My average body temperature is about 97.3. Is this unhealthy?

And if I measure my tempurature to be 98.6, do I have a fever?

Bockman

You're not checking orally, are you?

race newbie

Seems like a good question for your doctor, but mine is always in the 97 range as normal, and I'm rold it's no biggie. I wouldn't worry about a fever unless you start climbing into the 99-100+ range.

umd

98.6 is just an average, many people run hotter or colder. I tend to run in the 95-96 range, but a few weeks ago I did have a fever and when they checked my temp at the hostpital I wasn't even all the way up to 98.6. I think I topped out a little over 99. If your temp is much higher than normal for you its a fever, it doesn't matter what the actual temp is.

ranger5oh

it will vary some.. .but as a poster previously commented, taking it orally is a poor indication of actual temp.

Richard Cranium

That depends. If you are old enough to type -and - you have a regular doctor, you should know by adulthood whether or not your temp is a natural, non-disease condition. In any case, if you really don't already know this and just want to "F" around the forums - then ignore it. Otherwise go see a doctor, you could have thyroid disease, or a cancerous condition.


No way of telling, without answering the previous question.

CdCf

Measuring in the ear is the most accurate method, according to a fever specialist doctor I heard on the radio a few months back.

Impoliticus

The ear? Really? How far do you have to stick it in the get an accurate measurement? I'd think the mouth would be way more accurate than the ear.

CdCf

No, the ear is more accurate. The mouth is the least accurate place to measure, actually!
Ear, rectum, armpit and mouth - there's your rough order of accuracy, although it's a coin toss between the last two.

Accuracy is probably not the best way to describe it, though. Consistency is likely better. The ear is close to the most critical part of the body - the brain, where temperature regulation takes place, and the inner part of the ear isn't affected by what you eat or drink.

The best way to determine whether you have a fever or not is to regularly take your temperature at a set time of day, every day (morning would usually be best), and find your normal body temperature when you're not sick, and also find your normal fluctuations. That gives you a much better starting point for deciding whether or not an elevated temperature is a fever or not.

You have to use an ear thermometer, of course.
They typically look like this:

howsteepisit

Mine has run low for years, about 96.5. current Doc feels that its too low and has started me on a Thyroid med. Its really making a difference in both how I feel and in my cycling (indoor trainer). Since starting the thyroid I am going 102 mph faster with lower HR. We see how it all play out over a longer term, but I think I am gonna be really pissed at several Docs who I have mentioned this issue over the years (along with depression and dysthyma) and have been told It nothing don't worry about it, oh here take this antidepressant.

Corretion thats 1 - 2 mph faster, I do wish I could get up 102 mph!

CdCf

I take it you're either a fighter pilot or a race car driver...