Rethinking the "normal" body temperature: Is 98.6°F a myth?
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For years, we've been told that a normal body temperature is 98.6°F.
It’s the number doctors have relied on, parents have checked for, and many of us have used to gauge whether we’re feeling under the weather.
But what if this widely accepted standard isn’t as accurate as we think?
A recent discussion on social media has sparked debate, questioning whether it's time to rethink what’s truly “normal” when it comes to body temperature.
A woman recently shared her experience, pointing out that newer research suggests the average body temperature today is actually lower—closer to 97.9°F.
She explained that with her normal resting temperature around 97.6°F, she felt unwell when she reached 99.1°F.
This raised an important question: Should we be adjusting our idea of when a fever truly begins?
Her post quickly gained attention, with many others chiming in to share that their typical body temperatures also fall below the long-accepted 98.6°F.
This conversation has led to a broader discussion—are we using outdated information when it comes to recognizing fevers and monitoring our health?
The idea of 98.6°F as the standard body temperature dates back to the mid-1800s, when a German physician, Dr. Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich, recorded temperature readings from thousands of people.
But medicine has come a long way since then.
Dr. Julie Parsonnet, an epidemiologist at Stanford Medicine, explains that the 19th-century population had different health conditions—many faced chronic infections and inflammation, which likely contributed to higher average body temperatures.
Her research, which analyzed more than 677,000 temperature readings from the past 160 years, suggests that our baseline temperature has steadily decreased over time.
With the average body temperature now estimated between 97.2°F and 98.4°F, it’s clear that 98.6°F may no longer be the best benchmark.
Traditionally, a fever was considered anything over 100°F, but experts now say that what qualifies as a fever may depend on your personal baseline.
Dr. Heidi Zapata, an infectious disease specialist at Yale School of Medicine, emphasizes that temperature readings should always be taken in context.
If you’re feeling unwell, it’s important to listen to your body rather than relying strictly on the thermometer.
Source: TikTok / @jennjenbean.
Especially during flu season and with COVID-19 still circulating, body temperature is just one factor to consider when evaluating illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises paying attention to symptoms like fatigue, body aches, and respiratory issues.
Staying up to date on vaccinations, practicing good hygiene, and improving indoor air quality can also help reduce the risk of getting sick.
This discussion is a great reminder that medical knowledge is always evolving.
While 98.6°F has been a trusted number for generations, newer research suggests we may need to take a more personalized approach to understanding fevers.
If you’re feeling off, trust how you feel and seek medical advice rather than focusing on a single number.
Read next: Reduce your kidney stone risk by 22%—are you missing this essential vitamin?
What’s your normal body temperature? Have you ever felt sick even when your temperature seemed “normal”? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
It’s the number doctors have relied on, parents have checked for, and many of us have used to gauge whether we’re feeling under the weather.
But what if this widely accepted standard isn’t as accurate as we think?
A recent discussion on social media has sparked debate, questioning whether it's time to rethink what’s truly “normal” when it comes to body temperature.
She explained that with her normal resting temperature around 97.6°F, she felt unwell when she reached 99.1°F.
This raised an important question: Should we be adjusting our idea of when a fever truly begins?
Her post quickly gained attention, with many others chiming in to share that their typical body temperatures also fall below the long-accepted 98.6°F.
This conversation has led to a broader discussion—are we using outdated information when it comes to recognizing fevers and monitoring our health?
Where Did 98.6°F Come From?
The idea of 98.6°F as the standard body temperature dates back to the mid-1800s, when a German physician, Dr. Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich, recorded temperature readings from thousands of people.
But medicine has come a long way since then.
Dr. Julie Parsonnet, an epidemiologist at Stanford Medicine, explains that the 19th-century population had different health conditions—many faced chronic infections and inflammation, which likely contributed to higher average body temperatures.
Her research, which analyzed more than 677,000 temperature readings from the past 160 years, suggests that our baseline temperature has steadily decreased over time.
Also read: 7 fever myths you still believe—doctors set the record straight!
So, What Should Be Considered a Fever Now?
With the average body temperature now estimated between 97.2°F and 98.4°F, it’s clear that 98.6°F may no longer be the best benchmark.
Traditionally, a fever was considered anything over 100°F, but experts now say that what qualifies as a fever may depend on your personal baseline.
Dr. Heidi Zapata, an infectious disease specialist at Yale School of Medicine, emphasizes that temperature readings should always be taken in context.
If you’re feeling unwell, it’s important to listen to your body rather than relying strictly on the thermometer.
Source: TikTok / @jennjenbean.
Also fever: New virus discovery in uncharted region causes future pandemic concerns–Protect yourself now!
Symptoms Matter More Than Just Numbers
Especially during flu season and with COVID-19 still circulating, body temperature is just one factor to consider when evaluating illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises paying attention to symptoms like fatigue, body aches, and respiratory issues.
Staying up to date on vaccinations, practicing good hygiene, and improving indoor air quality can also help reduce the risk of getting sick.
This discussion is a great reminder that medical knowledge is always evolving.
While 98.6°F has been a trusted number for generations, newer research suggests we may need to take a more personalized approach to understanding fevers.
If you’re feeling off, trust how you feel and seek medical advice rather than focusing on a single number.
Read next: Reduce your kidney stone risk by 22%—are you missing this essential vitamin?
What’s your normal body temperature? Have you ever felt sick even when your temperature seemed “normal”? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
