Today our topic of discussion is Normal Body Temperature for Adults
Normal Body Temperature for Adults
Oral: 37 C or 98.6°F.
Rectal: 37.6°C or 99.6°F.
Axillary: 36.4°C or 97.6°F.
The normal body temperature of a person varies depending on gender, recent activity, food and fluid consumption, time of day, and, in women, the stage of the menstrual cycle. Normal body temperature can range from 97.8° F (or Fahrenheit, equivalent to 36.5°C, or Celsius) to 99° F(37.2° C) for a healthy adult.
A person’s body temperature can be taken in any of the following ways:
Orally: Temperature can be taken by mouth using either the classic glass thermometer, or the more modern digital thermometers that use an electronic probe to measure body temperature.
Rectally: Temperatures taken rectally (using a glass or digital thermometer) tend to be 0.5 to 0.7 degrees F higher than when taken by mouth.
Axillary: Temperatures can be taken under the arm using a glass or digital thermometer. Temperatures taken by this route tend to be 0.3 to 0.4° F lower than those temperatures taken by mouth.
By ear: A special thermometer can quickly measure the temperature of the eardrum, which reflects the body’s core temperature (the temperature of the internal organs).
By skin: A special thermometer can quickly measure the temperature of the skin on the forehead.
Body temperature may be abnormal due to fever (high temperature) or hypothermia (low temperature). A fever is indicated when body temperature rises about one degree or more over the normal temperature of 98.6° F, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Hypothermia is defined as a drop in body temperature below 95°F.
Factors Influences Heat Production
- Metabolism-oxidation of food
- Muscle activity-exercise Strong emotional-excitement, anxiety and nervousness
- Change in atmospheric temperature
- Disease condition-bacterial invasion
- Sympathetic stimulation-Epinephrine and nore- pinephrine.
Read more: