What Is Normal Body Temperature?
1. What Is the Average Body Temperature?
While 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is a common temperature cited for the average body temperature, there are many factors that change this number. Primary factors include your gender, age and the type of temperature reading. Your food and fluid intake, activity level and the time of day can also affect your body temperature. As a female, your menstrual cycle also changes your normal body temperature.
For instance, an ear temperature up to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit in an infant under two years old may be normal; however, the younger the baby, the more sensitive they are to changes in temperature. Those who are over 65 years old will likely have a temperature below 98.6. Don’t let a reading outside of 98.6 degrees worry you, but consult a doctor or a chart of typical readings to discover a healthy temperature range for you.
