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?

 

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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