TRIVIAL PURSUITS: What Is Normal Body Temperature for Humans?

The standard for normal human body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (F) actually the normal for most people?

 

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According to WebMD, not everyone’s “normal” body temperature is the same. A German doctor in the 19th century set the standard at 98.6 F, but more recent studies say the baseline for most people is closer to 98.2 F.

 

For a typical adult, body temperature can be anywhere from 97 F to 99 F. Babies and children have a little higher range: 97.9 F to 100.4 F.

 

Body temperature doesn’t stay same all day, and it will vary throughout a lifetime, too. Some things that cause a person’s temperature to move around during the day include:

  • How active he/she is;
  • What time of day it is;
  • Age;
  • Gender;
  • What a person has eaten or had to drink; and
  • Other considerations for women.
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