USA TODAY One woman's viral fever question sparked a very real debate. Is 98.6 outdated?

This article was highlighted in Yahoo today (2/27/25). The article is questioning 98.6 F as being a normal body temperature and that our bodies have changed over the years since 98.6 F iwas determined to be normal and that today's normal should be 97.9 F. I wonder if their scientific research has taken into account that RT is the most accurate way to measure temperature and with a glass thermometer as oppossed to an electronic device frequently used just pressing it against your forehead. That being said, I think that different people have different "normals" that are around 98 F give or take a bit. Denise

98.6 is the standard. Some people run a little higher or lower.

@Denise I have never thought about RT levels taken with a glass thermometer as being defining in their accuracy. My mother always did under my tongue or arm pit for 2 minutes and she and doctors were happy.

I guess my only question is how long were the glass thermometers. Ones in the UK are about 6"

I remember being taught that normal temps are 97.6 axial, 98.6 oral and 99.6 rectal. This, of course, was with traditional glass thermometers with mercury inside. Now, apparently that is being challenged because 19th century humans aren't the same as 21st century humans.

I haven't seen any info about possible variances when using scanner-type thermometers.

The exact relationship between different types of temperature measurement is unclear. However, the following general guidelines for temperature results are used:

The average normal oral temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).

• A rectal temperature is 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) higher than an oral temperature.
• An ear temperature is 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) higher than an oral temperature.
• An armpit temperature is most often 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature.
• A forehead scanner is most often 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature.

We were always taught that rectal temperature was the most accurate and as such was employed in the ITU (ICU) for montoring a patient's temperature.

To many hang-ups on the second digit and points whatever. If it is a hundred or more there is a problem. Don't forget to consider instrument calibration tolerance. OH no! I added another factor to the calculation. I hope it makes things more interesting.