Body Temperature: What Is Truly Considered Normal?
🧐 For a long time, it was believed that the optimal human body temperature was 36.6 °C. However, modern research shows that this standard is not universal. 😵💫 Body temperature can fluctuate throughout the day and depends on many factors: age, gender, time of day, physical activity, and environmental conditions. 👇
😲 Today, doctors recognize a normal temperature range that can vary by up to two degrees. In the first comment, we’ll explain what temperature is considered normal by WHO standards.👇
Currently, a temperature between 35.5 and 37.2 °C is considered normal. This means that a reading above or below 36.6 °C does not necessarily indicate illness — accompanying symptoms and the person’s overall condition must also be considered.
The female body is particularly sensitive to hormonal changes. For example, about a week before menstruation, body temperature can drop to 36.2–36.5 °C, which is considered physiologically normal.
Age also affects body temperature. Approximate underarm values:
Infants — around 36.8 °C
Children under 3 years — up to 37.4 °C
Children aged 3–6 years — about 37.0 °C
Adults under 65 years — 36.8–36.9 °C
Elderly over 65 years — around 36.3 °C
It’s important to remember that if body temperature drops to 29.5 °C, a person may lose consciousness, and at 26.5 °C, the situation becomes life-threatening.
Therefore, body temperature should be assessed not by a single number, but in the context of the body’s individual characteristics. Persistent deviations from the norm with worsening health should be taken seriously. In case of doubt, it’s best to consult a doctor to avoid misdiagnosis.
Regular temperature monitoring is a healthy habit. The better you know your personal “normal,” the quicker you’ll be able to notice changes and take action.
