🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 37 (from laksa088)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa037.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.self.com/story/at-what-temperature-should-you-actually-start-worrying-about-a-fever\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.self.com/story/at-what-temperature-should-you-actually-start-worrying-about-a-fever\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/at-what-temperature-should-you-actually-start-worrying-about-a-fever","crawl_time":1776140141,"first_indexed_time":1518634664,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,self!www,\/story\/at-what-temperature-should-you-actually-start-worrying-about-a-fever s443","src_root_hash":"13831140440916828237","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"What Temperature Is Considered a Fever? Maybe Not What You Think | SELF","meta_descriptions":["What temperature is considered a fever? And at what temperature should you actually start worrying? It’s a lot less clear than you’d think."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"If you’ve found yourself puzzling over your thermometer and wondering what temperature is considered a fever lately, you’re definitely not alone. If you feel like crap but your thermometer swears you don’t have a temperature, where does that leave you? Or if you feel generally okay but you’re reading a temperature higher than 98.6, what should you do? Well, it turns out that diagnosing a fever may not be as straightforward as we’ve been led to believe. Here are a few common questions you might have about fevers, taking your temperature, and assessing your health, as well as answers from doctors.\nWhat temperature is considered a fever?\nTechnically, the\nCDC defines a fever\nas having a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater. However, the organization says that it also considers someone to have a fever when they “feel warm to the touch or give a history of feeling feverish.”\nThe\nInfectious Diseases Society of America\nalso recognizes that fever detection isn’t totally clear-cut. The organization says you have a fever if you have a single oral temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or two repeated oral temperatures above 99 degrees, a rectal temperature above 99.5 degrees, or an increase in your temperature of two degrees over your baseline.\n“If a temperature exceeds an upper limit of 100 degrees, I consider it abnormal,” Morton Tavel, M.D., a clinical professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and author of\nSnake Oil Is Alive and Well: The Clash Between Myths and Reality—Reflections of a Physician,\ntells SELF.\nBasically, there’s a lot of room for interpretation and context here.\nWhy do we consider 98.6 degrees a normal temperature?\nWe’ve been trained to think of 98.6 degrees as a “normal” temperature, but it’s actually just an average, Susan Besser, M.D., a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, tells SELF.\nSELF Daily\nGet healthier and happier with expert advice delivered to your inbox daily.\nYep, it turns out that oft-cited number\noriginally came\nfrom the work of German doctor Carl Wunderlich in the 1800s. Subsequent modern studies have disagreed on the exact average number (such as\nthis 1992 study in\nJAMA\nthat settled on 98.2 degrees). And\nnew research published in January 2020\nsuggested that the new average temperature is actually 97.9 degrees.\nSo, although 98.6 degrees may be a fine estimate of “normal” for many people, your personal normal temperature may\nbe a bit higher or lower\n, as long as you still feel okay. “Few people have 98.6 as their normal, really,” Dr. Besser says.\nMost Popular\nWhy does my temperature change throughout the day?\nGlad you asked. This introduces another confusing problem: Your baseline temperature can vary based on several different factors.\nYour temp is going to vary based on the time of day and what you’re doing, Dr. Besser says. In general, your baseline temperature is\nlower in the morning\n, revs up during the day, and goes down overnight because your metabolism is slower while you sleep.\nAside from that, there are\na bunch of other things\nthat can affect your body temperature. That includes\nyour age\n,\ndrinking alcohol\n, physical activity, being\nseverely dehydrated\n, and where you are\nin your menstrual cycle\n.\nAlso worth noting that if you’re concerned about the new coronavirus, people report fevers (and other symptoms) that can come and go. Doctors recommend that, if you’re worried you have the new coronavirus, you take your temperature twice per day for several days in a row, and make sure that at least one of those times is during the afternoon or evening hours, when the temperature might be naturally higher.\nHow can I figure out my normal, or baseline, temperature?\nIf you want to try to figure out your standard baseline temperature, you can try taking it for a few days in a row at the same time when you’re healthy, Dr. Tavel says. That should give you a pretty decent idea, but you have to make sure you’re consistent about it.\nAnother important thing to remember is that whenever you’re taking your temperature, make sure you’re doing it correctly.\nFirst off, your choice of thermometer matters: If you take your temperature with a forehead thermometer, you’re probably going to get a slightly different number than if you used an ear, oral, or rectal thermometer. Rectal thermometers are the best way to get an accurate temperature, Dr. Besser says, but you’re probably not in a huge rush to get one of those.\nMost Popular\nWhen using an oral thermometer, you also want to make sure that you’re keeping your mouth closed the entire time, she says. Keep in mind that if you keep opening your mouth because\nyou’re coughing\nor congested, it’ll make your reading less accurate.\nWhat other symptoms beside fever should I worry about or pay attention to?\nA fever is just one symptom, and the way you feel matters just as much as your temperature.\n“A fever or higher temperature does tell you that there’s inflammation, either from an infection or some other inflammatory process,” Russ Kino, M.D., medical director of the Weingart Foundation Emergency Department at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells SELF. “[But] you don’t need to have a fever to be sick.” For example, as the CDC explains, a fever is a common symptom of the flu and rarely a symptom of the common cold—but it’s possible to have a fever (or not have one) with either illness. So, although a fever may be an important clue, it’s still just one piece of the puzzle.\nWhich brings us back to the new coronavirus. If you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19—such as fever or a cough—it’s possible you might have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In that case, try to stay calm—many people can have mild versions of the disease and can recover at home (in fact, if your symptoms are mild it’s really important that you stay home, rather than go to the E.R., so that we don’t risk overloading our already overburdened health care system). The first thing you should do if you develop symptoms is contact your health care provider to discuss how you’re feeling. Follow your doctor’s instructions about what to do to take care of yourself and minimize the potential that you’ll infect others. If your symptoms remain mild, you can recover at home by getting lots of rest, hydrating, practicing good hand hygiene and self-isolation, and manage your fever or aches and pains with an over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen.\nThat said, you should also be aware of what symptoms to look out for that signal that the disease has gotten worse and that you might need emergency medical attention. Emergency warning signs include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, feeling confused or unable to rouse, or bluish lips or face. If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor—or 911—immediately.\nRelated:\nNo, the Coronavirus Isn’t Just a Bad Flu\nWhat to Do If You Think You May Have Coronavirus\nHow to Know If You Need to Go to the E.R. With Coronavirus","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/at-what-temperature-should-you-actually-start-worrying-about-a-fever#main-content)\n\nOpen Navigation Menu\n\n[![SELF](https:\/\/www.self.com\/verso\/static\/self-us\/assets\/logo-header.svg)](https:\/\/www.self.com\/)\n\nWhat Temperature Is Considered a Fever? Maybe Not What You Think\n\n- [Fitness](https:\/\/www.self.com\/fitness)\n- [Food](https:\/\/www.self.com\/food)\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.self.com\/health)\n- [Love](https:\/\/www.self.com\/sex-love)\n- [Beauty](https:\/\/www.self.com\/beauty)\n- [Sports](https:\/\/www.self.com\/culture\/sports)\n- [Life](https:\/\/www.self.com\/culture)\n\nMore\n\n- [Health Conditions](https:\/\/www.self.com\/health-conditions)\n- [Shopping](https:\/\/www.self.com\/shopping)\n\n[Sign In](https:\/\/www.self.com\/auth\/initiate?redirectURL=%2Fstory%2Fat-what-temperature-should-you-actually-start-worrying-about-a-fever&source=VERSO_NAVIGATION)\n\n[Search](https:\/\/www.self.com\/search)\n\n- [Fitness](https:\/\/www.self.com\/fitness)\n- [Food](https:\/\/www.self.com\/food)\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.self.com\/health)\n- [Love](https:\/\/www.self.com\/sex-love)\n- [Beauty](https:\/\/www.self.com\/beauty)\n- [Sports](https:\/\/www.self.com\/culture\/sports)\n- [Life](https:\/\/www.self.com\/culture)\n- [Health Conditions](https:\/\/www.self.com\/health-conditions)\n- [Shopping](https:\/\/www.self.com\/shopping)\n\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.self.com\/video)\n- [Challenges](https:\/\/www.self.com\/fitness\/challenges)\n- [Workouts](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/workout-finder)\n- [Newsletter Signup](https:\/\/www.self.com\/newsletter)\n\n[Health Conditions](https:\/\/www.self.com\/health-conditions)\n\n[Infectious Diseases](https:\/\/www.self.com\/health-conditions\/infectious-diseases)\n\n[Cold and Flu](https:\/\/www.self.com\/health-conditions\/cold-and-flu)\n\nRelated Condition Centers\n\n- [COVID-19 (Coronavirus)](https:\/\/www.self.com\/health-conditions\/covid-19-coronavirus)\n# What Temperature Is Considered a Fever? Maybe Not What You Think\n\nAnswers to common questions about taking your temperature.\n\nBy [Korin Miller](https:\/\/www.self.com\/contributor\/korin-miller)\n\nMarch 30, 2020\n\n![Image may contain Human Person and Finger](https:\/\/media.self.com\/photos\/5e82216a2373c70009d18b8d\/4:3\/w_2560%2Cc_limit\/thermometer-woman.jpg)\n\nImage Source\/Getty Images\n\nSave this story\n\nSave this story\n\nIf you’ve found yourself puzzling over your thermometer and wondering what temperature is considered a fever lately, you’re definitely not alone. If you feel like crap but your thermometer swears you don’t have a temperature, where does that leave you? Or if you feel generally okay but you’re reading a temperature higher than 98.6, what should you do? Well, it turns out that diagnosing a fever may not be as straightforward as we’ve been led to believe. Here are a few common questions you might have about fevers, taking your temperature, and assessing your health, as well as answers from doctors.\n\nWhat temperature is considered a fever?\n\nTechnically, the [CDC defines a fever](https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/quarantine\/air\/reporting-deaths-illness\/definitions-symptoms-reportable-illnesses.html) as having a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater. However, the organization says that it also considers someone to have a fever when they “feel warm to the touch or give a history of feeling feverish.”\n\nThe [Infectious Diseases Society of America](https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/cid\/article\/48\/2\/149\/304388#74158021) also recognizes that fever detection isn’t totally clear-cut. The organization says you have a fever if you have a single oral temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or two repeated oral temperatures above 99 degrees, a rectal temperature above 99.5 degrees, or an increase in your temperature of two degrees over your baseline.\n\nWATCH THIS\n\n[10-Minute Guided Meditation: Self-Love](https:\/\/www.self.com\/video\/watch\/10-minute-guided-meditation-self-love)\n\n“If a temperature exceeds an upper limit of 100 degrees, I consider it abnormal,” Morton Tavel, M.D., a clinical professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and author of *Snake Oil Is Alive and Well: The Clash Between Myths and Reality—Reflections of a Physician,* tells SELF.\n\nBasically, there’s a lot of room for interpretation and context here.\n\nWhy do we consider 98.6 degrees a normal temperature?\n\nWe’ve been trained to think of 98.6 degrees as a “normal” temperature, but it’s actually just an average, Susan Besser, M.D., a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, tells SELF.\n\n### SELF Daily\nGet healthier and happier with expert advice delivered to your inbox daily.\n\nBy signing up, you agree to our [user agreement](https:\/\/www.condenast.com\/user-agreement) (including [class action waiver and arbitration provisions](https:\/\/www.condenast.com\/user-agreement#introduction-arbitration-notice)), and acknowledge our [privacy policy](https:\/\/www.condenast.com\/privacy-policy).\n\nYep, it turns out that oft-cited number [originally came](https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/4457716?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents) from the work of German doctor Carl Wunderlich in the 1800s. Subsequent modern studies have disagreed on the exact average number (such as [this 1992 study in *JAMA*](https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/article-abstract\/400116) that settled on 98.2 degrees). And [new research published in January 2020](https:\/\/elifesciences.org\/articles\/49555) suggested that the new average temperature is actually 97.9 degrees.\n\nSo, although 98.6 degrees may be a fine estimate of “normal” for many people, your personal normal temperature may [be a bit higher or lower](https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/001982.htm), as long as you still feel okay. “Few people have 98.6 as their normal, really,” Dr. Besser says.\n\nMost Popular\n\n- [![Are GLP-1 Drugs Quietly Changing Our Sex Lives?](https:\/\/media.self.com\/photos\/69d6a5c2b5bd321a27779769\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/glp-1-impact-sex-lives#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2)\n  \n  Sex Love\n  \n  [Are GLP-1 Drugs Quietly Changing Our Sex Lives?](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/glp-1-impact-sex-lives#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2)\n  \n  By Gabrielle Kassel\n- [![Free Mobile Mammograms Bring Lifesaving Care to NCAA Fans](https:\/\/media.self.com\/photos\/69d18e6b946322bf4b5f0ffd\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/mobile-mammogram-screenings#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2_fallback_cral-top2-2)\n  \n  Health Conditions\n  \n  [Free Mobile Mammograms Bring Lifesaving Care to NCAA Fans](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/mobile-mammogram-screenings#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2_fallback_cral-top2-2)\n  \n  By Ciara Lucas, C.P.T., R.R.C.A.\n\nWhy does my temperature change throughout the day?\n\nGlad you asked. This introduces another confusing problem: Your baseline temperature can vary based on several different factors.\n\nYour temp is going to vary based on the time of day and what you’re doing, Dr. Besser says. In general, your baseline temperature is [lower in the morning](https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/fever\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20352759), revs up during the day, and goes down overnight because your metabolism is slower while you sleep.\n\nAside from that, there are [a bunch of other things](https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/basal-body-temperature\/about\/pac-20393026) that can affect your body temperature. That includes [your age](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3107024\/), [drinking alcohol](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16377461), physical activity, being [severely dehydrated](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/how-being-dehydrated-impacts-your-workouts), and where you are [in your menstrual cycle](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/what-you-need-to-know-before-relying-on-an-app-for-birth-control).\n\nAlso worth noting that if you’re concerned about the new coronavirus, people report fevers (and other symptoms) that can come and go. Doctors recommend that, if you’re worried you have the new coronavirus, you take your temperature twice per day for several days in a row, and make sure that at least one of those times is during the afternoon or evening hours, when the temperature might be naturally higher.\n\nHow can I figure out my normal, or baseline, temperature?\n\nIf you want to try to figure out your standard baseline temperature, you can try taking it for a few days in a row at the same time when you’re healthy, Dr. Tavel says. That should give you a pretty decent idea, but you have to make sure you’re consistent about it.\n\nAnother important thing to remember is that whenever you’re taking your temperature, make sure you’re doing it correctly.\n\nFirst off, your choice of thermometer matters: If you take your temperature with a forehead thermometer, you’re probably going to get a slightly different number than if you used an ear, oral, or rectal thermometer. Rectal thermometers are the best way to get an accurate temperature, Dr. Besser says, but you’re probably not in a huge rush to get one of those.\n\nMost Popular\n\n- [![Are GLP-1 Drugs Quietly Changing Our Sex Lives?](https:\/\/media.self.com\/photos\/69d6a5c2b5bd321a27779769\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/glp-1-impact-sex-lives#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2)\n  \n  Sex Love\n  \n  [Are GLP-1 Drugs Quietly Changing Our Sex Lives?](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/glp-1-impact-sex-lives#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2)\n  \n  By Gabrielle Kassel\n- [![Free Mobile Mammograms Bring Lifesaving Care to NCAA Fans](https:\/\/media.self.com\/photos\/69d18e6b946322bf4b5f0ffd\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/mobile-mammogram-screenings#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2_fallback_cral-top2-2)\n  \n  Health Conditions\n  \n  [Free Mobile Mammograms Bring Lifesaving Care to NCAA Fans](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/mobile-mammogram-screenings#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2_fallback_cral-top2-2)\n  \n  By Ciara Lucas, C.P.T., R.R.C.A.\n\nWhen using an oral thermometer, you also want to make sure that you’re keeping your mouth closed the entire time, she says. Keep in mind that if you keep opening your mouth because [you’re coughing](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/a-woman-coughed-so-hard-she-broke-her-ribs) or congested, it’ll make your reading less accurate.\n\nWhat other symptoms beside fever should I worry about or pay attention to?\n\nA fever is just one symptom, and the way you feel matters just as much as your temperature.\n\n“A fever or higher temperature does tell you that there’s inflammation, either from an infection or some other inflammatory process,” Russ Kino, M.D., medical director of the Weingart Foundation Emergency Department at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells SELF. “\\[But\\] you don’t need to have a fever to be sick.” For example, as the CDC explains, a fever is a common symptom of the flu and rarely a symptom of the common cold—but it’s possible to have a fever (or not have one) with either illness. So, although a fever may be an important clue, it’s still just one piece of the puzzle.\n\nWhich brings us back to the new coronavirus. If you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19—such as fever or a cough—it’s possible you might have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In that case, try to stay calm—many people can have mild versions of the disease and can recover at home (in fact, if your symptoms are mild it’s really important that you stay home, rather than go to the E.R., so that we don’t risk overloading our already overburdened health care system). The first thing you should do if you develop symptoms is contact your health care provider to discuss how you’re feeling. Follow your doctor’s instructions about what to do to take care of yourself and minimize the potential that you’ll infect others. If your symptoms remain mild, you can recover at home by getting lots of rest, hydrating, practicing good hand hygiene and self-isolation, and manage your fever or aches and pains with an over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen.\n\nThat said, you should also be aware of what symptoms to look out for that signal that the disease has gotten worse and that you might need emergency medical attention. Emergency warning signs include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, feeling confused or unable to rouse, or bluish lips or face. If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor—or 911—immediately.\n\n**Related:**\n\n- [No, the Coronavirus Isn’t Just a Bad Flu](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/coronavirus-is-not-flu)\n- [What to Do If You Think You May Have Coronavirus](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/coronavirus-infection-plan)\n- [How to Know If You Need to Go to the E.R. With Coronavirus](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/coronavirus-er-signs)\n\n[![](https:\/\/media.self.com\/photos\/5b881cac9134316166c7782c\/1:1\/w_90%2Cc_limit\/headshot_korin.jpg)](https:\/\/www.self.com\/contributor\/korin-miller)\n\nKorin is a former New Yorker who now lives at the beach. She received a double B.A. in International Relations and Marketing from The College of William & Mary (which she doesn't use at all now) and an M.A. in Interactive Journalism from American University. Korin has been published in ... [Read More](https:\/\/www.self.com\/contributor\/korin-miller)\n\nSELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.\n\nTopics[cold and flu](https:\/\/www.self.com\/topic\/cold-and-flu)[infections](https:\/\/www.self.com\/topic\/infections)[COVID-19](https:\/\/www.self.com\/topic\/covid-19)[Q fever](https:\/\/www.self.com\/topic\/q-fever)\n\n### SELF Daily\nGet healthier and happier with expert advice delivered to your inbox daily.\n\n[![SELF](https:\/\/www.self.com\/verso\/static\/self-us\/assets\/logo-reverse.svg)](https:\/\/www.self.com\/)\n\nDiscover new workout ideas, healthy-eating recipes, makeup looks, skin-care advice, the best beauty products and tips, trends, and more from SELF.\n\nMore from Self\n\n- [About SELF](https:\/\/www.self.com\/info\/about-self)\n- [Newsletter Sign Up](https:\/\/www.self.com\/newsletter)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.self.com\/video)\n- [Masthead](https:\/\/www.self.com\/info\/self-masthead)\n- [Accessibility help](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/accessibility-at-self)\n\nContact\n\n- [Contact](https:\/\/www.self.com\/contact-us)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.condenast.com\/careers)\n\n- [User Agreement](https:\/\/www.condenast.com\/user-agreement\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](http:\/\/www.condenast.com\/privacy-policy#privacypolicy)\n- [Your California Privacy Rights](http:\/\/www.condenast.com\/privacy-policy#privacypolicy-california)\n- [RSS Feeds](https:\/\/www.self.com\/feed\/rss)\n- [Accessibility Help](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/accessibility-at-self)\n- [Condé Nast Store](https:\/\/condenaststore.com\/)\n- [Site Map](https:\/\/www.self.com\/sitemap)\n- Your Privacy Choices\n\n© 2026 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. *SELF* may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. [Ad Choices](http:\/\/www.aboutads.info\/)","attrs_readable_markdown":"If you’ve found yourself puzzling over your thermometer and wondering what temperature is considered a fever lately, you’re definitely not alone. If you feel like crap but your thermometer swears you don’t have a temperature, where does that leave you? Or if you feel generally okay but you’re reading a temperature higher than 98.6, what should you do? Well, it turns out that diagnosing a fever may not be as straightforward as we’ve been led to believe. Here are a few common questions you might have about fevers, taking your temperature, and assessing your health, as well as answers from doctors.\n\nWhat temperature is considered a fever?\n\nTechnically, the [CDC defines a fever](https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/quarantine\/air\/reporting-deaths-illness\/definitions-symptoms-reportable-illnesses.html) as having a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater. However, the organization says that it also considers someone to have a fever when they “feel warm to the touch or give a history of feeling feverish.”\n\nThe [Infectious Diseases Society of America](https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/cid\/article\/48\/2\/149\/304388#74158021) also recognizes that fever detection isn’t totally clear-cut. The organization says you have a fever if you have a single oral temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or two repeated oral temperatures above 99 degrees, a rectal temperature above 99.5 degrees, or an increase in your temperature of two degrees over your baseline.\n\n“If a temperature exceeds an upper limit of 100 degrees, I consider it abnormal,” Morton Tavel, M.D., a clinical professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and author of *Snake Oil Is Alive and Well: The Clash Between Myths and Reality—Reflections of a Physician,* tells SELF.\n\nBasically, there’s a lot of room for interpretation and context here.\n\nWhy do we consider 98.6 degrees a normal temperature?\n\nWe’ve been trained to think of 98.6 degrees as a “normal” temperature, but it’s actually just an average, Susan Besser, M.D., a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, tells SELF.\n\n### SELF Daily\nGet healthier and happier with expert advice delivered to your inbox daily.\n\nYep, it turns out that oft-cited number [originally came](https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/4457716?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents) from the work of German doctor Carl Wunderlich in the 1800s. Subsequent modern studies have disagreed on the exact average number (such as [this 1992 study in *JAMA*](https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/article-abstract\/400116) that settled on 98.2 degrees). And [new research published in January 2020](https:\/\/elifesciences.org\/articles\/49555) suggested that the new average temperature is actually 97.9 degrees.\n\nSo, although 98.6 degrees may be a fine estimate of “normal” for many people, your personal normal temperature may [be a bit higher or lower](https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/001982.htm), as long as you still feel okay. “Few people have 98.6 as their normal, really,” Dr. Besser says.\n\nMost Popular\n\nWhy does my temperature change throughout the day?\n\nGlad you asked. This introduces another confusing problem: Your baseline temperature can vary based on several different factors.\n\nYour temp is going to vary based on the time of day and what you’re doing, Dr. Besser says. In general, your baseline temperature is [lower in the morning](https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/fever\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20352759), revs up during the day, and goes down overnight because your metabolism is slower while you sleep.\n\nAside from that, there are [a bunch of other things](https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/basal-body-temperature\/about\/pac-20393026) that can affect your body temperature. That includes [your age](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3107024\/), [drinking alcohol](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16377461), physical activity, being [severely dehydrated](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/how-being-dehydrated-impacts-your-workouts), and where you are [in your menstrual cycle](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/what-you-need-to-know-before-relying-on-an-app-for-birth-control).\n\nAlso worth noting that if you’re concerned about the new coronavirus, people report fevers (and other symptoms) that can come and go. Doctors recommend that, if you’re worried you have the new coronavirus, you take your temperature twice per day for several days in a row, and make sure that at least one of those times is during the afternoon or evening hours, when the temperature might be naturally higher.\n\nHow can I figure out my normal, or baseline, temperature?\n\nIf you want to try to figure out your standard baseline temperature, you can try taking it for a few days in a row at the same time when you’re healthy, Dr. Tavel says. That should give you a pretty decent idea, but you have to make sure you’re consistent about it.\n\nAnother important thing to remember is that whenever you’re taking your temperature, make sure you’re doing it correctly.\n\nFirst off, your choice of thermometer matters: If you take your temperature with a forehead thermometer, you’re probably going to get a slightly different number than if you used an ear, oral, or rectal thermometer. Rectal thermometers are the best way to get an accurate temperature, Dr. Besser says, but you’re probably not in a huge rush to get one of those.\n\nMost Popular\n\nWhen using an oral thermometer, you also want to make sure that you’re keeping your mouth closed the entire time, she says. Keep in mind that if you keep opening your mouth because [you’re coughing](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/a-woman-coughed-so-hard-she-broke-her-ribs) or congested, it’ll make your reading less accurate.\n\nWhat other symptoms beside fever should I worry about or pay attention to?\n\nA fever is just one symptom, and the way you feel matters just as much as your temperature.\n\n“A fever or higher temperature does tell you that there’s inflammation, either from an infection or some other inflammatory process,” Russ Kino, M.D., medical director of the Weingart Foundation Emergency Department at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells SELF. “\\[But\\] you don’t need to have a fever to be sick.” For example, as the CDC explains, a fever is a common symptom of the flu and rarely a symptom of the common cold—but it’s possible to have a fever (or not have one) with either illness. So, although a fever may be an important clue, it’s still just one piece of the puzzle.\n\nWhich brings us back to the new coronavirus. If you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19—such as fever or a cough—it’s possible you might have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In that case, try to stay calm—many people can have mild versions of the disease and can recover at home (in fact, if your symptoms are mild it’s really important that you stay home, rather than go to the E.R., so that we don’t risk overloading our already overburdened health care system). The first thing you should do if you develop symptoms is contact your health care provider to discuss how you’re feeling. Follow your doctor’s instructions about what to do to take care of yourself and minimize the potential that you’ll infect others. If your symptoms remain mild, you can recover at home by getting lots of rest, hydrating, practicing good hand hygiene and self-isolation, and manage your fever or aches and pains with an over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen.\n\nThat said, you should also be aware of what symptoms to look out for that signal that the disease has gotten worse and that you might need emergency medical attention. Emergency warning signs include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, feeling confused or unable to rouse, or bluish lips or face. If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor—or 911—immediately.\n\n**Related:**\n\n- [No, the Coronavirus Isn’t Just a Bad Flu](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/coronavirus-is-not-flu)\n- [What to Do If You Think You May Have Coronavirus](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/coronavirus-infection-plan)\n- [How to Know If You Need to Go to the E.R. With Coronavirus](https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/coronavirus-er-signs)","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	What Temperature Is Considered a Fever? Maybe Not What You Think \| SELF
Meta Description	What temperature is considered a fever? And at what temperature should you actually start worrying? It’s a lot less clear than you’d think.
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Boilerpipe Text	If you’ve found yourself puzzling over your thermometer and wondering what temperature is considered a fever lately, you’re definitely not alone. If you feel like crap but your thermometer swears you don’t have a temperature, where does that leave you? Or if you feel generally okay but you’re reading a temperature higher than 98.6, what should you do? Well, it turns out that diagnosing a fever may not be as straightforward as we’ve been led to believe. Here are a few common questions you might have about fevers, taking your temperature, and assessing your health, as well as answers from doctors. What temperature is considered a fever? Technically, the CDC defines a fever as having a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater. However, the organization says that it also considers someone to have a fever when they “feel warm to the touch or give a history of feeling feverish.” The Infectious Diseases Society of America also recognizes that fever detection isn’t totally clear-cut. The organization says you have a fever if you have a single oral temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or two repeated oral temperatures above 99 degrees, a rectal temperature above 99.5 degrees, or an increase in your temperature of two degrees over your baseline. “If a temperature exceeds an upper limit of 100 degrees, I consider it abnormal,” Morton Tavel, M.D., a clinical professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and author of Snake Oil Is Alive and Well: The Clash Between Myths and Reality—Reflections of a Physician, tells SELF. Basically, there’s a lot of room for interpretation and context here. Why do we consider 98.6 degrees a normal temperature? We’ve been trained to think of 98.6 degrees as a “normal” temperature, but it’s actually just an average, Susan Besser, M.D., a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, tells SELF. SELF Daily Get healthier and happier with expert advice delivered to your inbox daily. Yep, it turns out that oft-cited number originally came from the work of German doctor Carl Wunderlich in the 1800s. Subsequent modern studies have disagreed on the exact average number (such as this 1992 study in JAMA that settled on 98.2 degrees). And new research published in January 2020 suggested that the new average temperature is actually 97.9 degrees. So, although 98.6 degrees may be a fine estimate of “normal” for many people, your personal normal temperature may be a bit higher or lower , as long as you still feel okay. “Few people have 98.6 as their normal, really,” Dr. Besser says. Most Popular Why does my temperature change throughout the day? Glad you asked. This introduces another confusing problem: Your baseline temperature can vary based on several different factors. Your temp is going to vary based on the time of day and what you’re doing, Dr. Besser says. In general, your baseline temperature is lower in the morning , revs up during the day, and goes down overnight because your metabolism is slower while you sleep. Aside from that, there are a bunch of other things that can affect your body temperature. That includes your age , drinking alcohol , physical activity, being severely dehydrated , and where you are in your menstrual cycle . Also worth noting that if you’re concerned about the new coronavirus, people report fevers (and other symptoms) that can come and go. Doctors recommend that, if you’re worried you have the new coronavirus, you take your temperature twice per day for several days in a row, and make sure that at least one of those times is during the afternoon or evening hours, when the temperature might be naturally higher. How can I figure out my normal, or baseline, temperature? If you want to try to figure out your standard baseline temperature, you can try taking it for a few days in a row at the same time when you’re healthy, Dr. Tavel says. That should give you a pretty decent idea, but you have to make sure you’re consistent about it. Another important thing to remember is that whenever you’re taking your temperature, make sure you’re doing it correctly. First off, your choice of thermometer matters: If you take your temperature with a forehead thermometer, you’re probably going to get a slightly different number than if you used an ear, oral, or rectal thermometer. Rectal thermometers are the best way to get an accurate temperature, Dr. Besser says, but you’re probably not in a huge rush to get one of those. Most Popular When using an oral thermometer, you also want to make sure that you’re keeping your mouth closed the entire time, she says. Keep in mind that if you keep opening your mouth because you’re coughing or congested, it’ll make your reading less accurate. What other symptoms beside fever should I worry about or pay attention to? A fever is just one symptom, and the way you feel matters just as much as your temperature. “A fever or higher temperature does tell you that there’s inflammation, either from an infection or some other inflammatory process,” Russ Kino, M.D., medical director of the Weingart Foundation Emergency Department at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells SELF. “[But] you don’t need to have a fever to be sick.” For example, as the CDC explains, a fever is a common symptom of the flu and rarely a symptom of the common cold—but it’s possible to have a fever (or not have one) with either illness. So, although a fever may be an important clue, it’s still just one piece of the puzzle. Which brings us back to the new coronavirus. If you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19—such as fever or a cough—it’s possible you might have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In that case, try to stay calm—many people can have mild versions of the disease and can recover at home (in fact, if your symptoms are mild it’s really important that you stay home, rather than go to the E.R., so that we don’t risk overloading our already overburdened health care system). The first thing you should do if you develop symptoms is contact your health care provider to discuss how you’re feeling. Follow your doctor’s instructions about what to do to take care of yourself and minimize the potential that you’ll infect others. If your symptoms remain mild, you can recover at home by getting lots of rest, hydrating, practicing good hand hygiene and self-isolation, and manage your fever or aches and pains with an over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen. That said, you should also be aware of what symptoms to look out for that signal that the disease has gotten worse and that you might need emergency medical attention. Emergency warning signs include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, feeling confused or unable to rouse, or bluish lips or face. If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor—or 911—immediately. Related: No, the Coronavirus Isn’t Just a Bad Flu What to Do If You Think You May Have Coronavirus How to Know If You Need to Go to the E.R. With Coronavirus
Markdown	[Skip to main content](https://www.self.com/story/at-what-temperature-should-you-actually-start-worrying-about-a-fever#main-content) Open Navigation Menu [![SELF](https://www.self.com/verso/static/self-us/assets/logo-header.svg)](https://www.self.com/) What Temperature Is Considered a Fever? 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Maybe Not What You Think Answers to common questions about taking your temperature. By [Korin Miller](https://www.self.com/contributor/korin-miller) March 30, 2020 ![Image may contain Human Person and Finger](https://media.self.com/photos/5e82216a2373c70009d18b8d/4:3/w_2560%2Cc_limit/thermometer-woman.jpg) Image Source/Getty Images Save this story Save this story If you’ve found yourself puzzling over your thermometer and wondering what temperature is considered a fever lately, you’re definitely not alone. If you feel like crap but your thermometer swears you don’t have a temperature, where does that leave you? Or if you feel generally okay but you’re reading a temperature higher than 98.6, what should you do? Well, it turns out that diagnosing a fever may not be as straightforward as we’ve been led to believe. Here are a few common questions you might have about fevers, taking your temperature, and assessing your health, as well as answers from doctors. What temperature is considered a fever? Technically, the [CDC defines a fever](https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/air/reporting-deaths-illness/definitions-symptoms-reportable-illnesses.html) as having a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater. However, the organization says that it also considers someone to have a fever when they “feel warm to the touch or give a history of feeling feverish.” The [Infectious Diseases Society of America](https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/48/2/149/304388#74158021) also recognizes that fever detection isn’t totally clear-cut. The organization says you have a fever if you have a single oral temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or two repeated oral temperatures above 99 degrees, a rectal temperature above 99.5 degrees, or an increase in your temperature of two degrees over your baseline. WATCH THIS [10-Minute Guided Meditation: Self-Love](https://www.self.com/video/watch/10-minute-guided-meditation-self-love) “If a temperature exceeds an upper limit of 100 degrees, I consider it abnormal,” Morton Tavel, M.D., a clinical professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and author of Snake Oil Is Alive and Well: The Clash Between Myths and Reality—Reflections of a Physician, tells SELF. Basically, there’s a lot of room for interpretation and context here. Why do we consider 98.6 degrees a normal temperature? We’ve been trained to think of 98.6 degrees as a “normal” temperature, but it’s actually just an average, Susan Besser, M.D., a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, tells SELF. ### SELF Daily Get healthier and happier with expert advice delivered to your inbox daily. By signing up, you agree to our [user agreement](https://www.condenast.com/user-agreement) (including [class action waiver and arbitration provisions](https://www.condenast.com/user-agreement#introduction-arbitration-notice)), and acknowledge our [privacy policy](https://www.condenast.com/privacy-policy). Yep, it turns out that oft-cited number [originally came](https://www.jstor.org/stable/4457716?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents) from the work of German doctor Carl Wunderlich in the 1800s. Subsequent modern studies have disagreed on the exact average number (such as [this 1992 study in JAMA](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/400116) that settled on 98.2 degrees). And [new research published in January 2020](https://elifesciences.org/articles/49555) suggested that the new average temperature is actually 97.9 degrees. So, although 98.6 degrees may be a fine estimate of “normal” for many people, your personal normal temperature may [be a bit higher or lower](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001982.htm), as long as you still feel okay. “Few people have 98.6 as their normal, really,” Dr. Besser says. Most Popular - [![Are GLP-1 Drugs Quietly Changing Our Sex Lives?](https://media.self.com/photos/69d6a5c2b5bd321a27779769/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.self.com/story/glp-1-impact-sex-lives#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2) Sex Love [Are GLP-1 Drugs Quietly Changing Our Sex Lives?](https://www.self.com/story/glp-1-impact-sex-lives#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2) By Gabrielle Kassel - [![Free Mobile Mammograms Bring Lifesaving Care to NCAA Fans](https://media.self.com/photos/69d18e6b946322bf4b5f0ffd/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.self.com/story/mobile-mammogram-screenings#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2_fallback_cral-top2-2) Health Conditions [Free Mobile Mammograms Bring Lifesaving Care to NCAA Fans](https://www.self.com/story/mobile-mammogram-screenings#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2_fallback_cral-top2-2) By Ciara Lucas, C.P.T., R.R.C.A. Why does my temperature change throughout the day? Glad you asked. This introduces another confusing problem: Your baseline temperature can vary based on several different factors. Your temp is going to vary based on the time of day and what you’re doing, Dr. Besser says. In general, your baseline temperature is [lower in the morning](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759), revs up during the day, and goes down overnight because your metabolism is slower while you sleep. Aside from that, there are [a bunch of other things](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/basal-body-temperature/about/pac-20393026) that can affect your body temperature. That includes [your age](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3107024/), [drinking alcohol](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16377461), physical activity, being [severely dehydrated](https://www.self.com/story/how-being-dehydrated-impacts-your-workouts), and where you are [in your menstrual cycle](https://www.self.com/story/what-you-need-to-know-before-relying-on-an-app-for-birth-control). Also worth noting that if you’re concerned about the new coronavirus, people report fevers (and other symptoms) that can come and go. Doctors recommend that, if you’re worried you have the new coronavirus, you take your temperature twice per day for several days in a row, and make sure that at least one of those times is during the afternoon or evening hours, when the temperature might be naturally higher. How can I figure out my normal, or baseline, temperature? If you want to try to figure out your standard baseline temperature, you can try taking it for a few days in a row at the same time when you’re healthy, Dr. Tavel says. That should give you a pretty decent idea, but you have to make sure you’re consistent about it. Another important thing to remember is that whenever you’re taking your temperature, make sure you’re doing it correctly. First off, your choice of thermometer matters: If you take your temperature with a forehead thermometer, you’re probably going to get a slightly different number than if you used an ear, oral, or rectal thermometer. Rectal thermometers are the best way to get an accurate temperature, Dr. Besser says, but you’re probably not in a huge rush to get one of those. Most Popular - [![Are GLP-1 Drugs Quietly Changing Our Sex Lives?](https://media.self.com/photos/69d6a5c2b5bd321a27779769/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.self.com/story/glp-1-impact-sex-lives#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2) Sex Love [Are GLP-1 Drugs Quietly Changing Our Sex Lives?](https://www.self.com/story/glp-1-impact-sex-lives#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2) By Gabrielle Kassel - [![Free Mobile Mammograms Bring Lifesaving Care to NCAA Fans](https://media.self.com/photos/69d18e6b946322bf4b5f0ffd/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.self.com/story/mobile-mammogram-screenings#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2_fallback_cral-top2-2) Health Conditions [Free Mobile Mammograms Bring Lifesaving Care to NCAA Fans](https://www.self.com/story/mobile-mammogram-screenings#intcid=_self-article-right-rail_e37a752e-244d-4164-95d2-fdfd5631cb69_popular4-2_fallback_cral-top2-2) By Ciara Lucas, C.P.T., R.R.C.A. When using an oral thermometer, you also want to make sure that you’re keeping your mouth closed the entire time, she says. Keep in mind that if you keep opening your mouth because [you’re coughing](https://www.self.com/story/a-woman-coughed-so-hard-she-broke-her-ribs) or congested, it’ll make your reading less accurate. What other symptoms beside fever should I worry about or pay attention to? A fever is just one symptom, and the way you feel matters just as much as your temperature. “A fever or higher temperature does tell you that there’s inflammation, either from an infection or some other inflammatory process,” Russ Kino, M.D., medical director of the Weingart Foundation Emergency Department at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells SELF. “\[But\] you don’t need to have a fever to be sick.” For example, as the CDC explains, a fever is a common symptom of the flu and rarely a symptom of the common cold—but it’s possible to have a fever (or not have one) with either illness. So, although a fever may be an important clue, it’s still just one piece of the puzzle. Which brings us back to the new coronavirus. If you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19—such as fever or a cough—it’s possible you might have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In that case, try to stay calm—many people can have mild versions of the disease and can recover at home (in fact, if your symptoms are mild it’s really important that you stay home, rather than go to the E.R., so that we don’t risk overloading our already overburdened health care system). The first thing you should do if you develop symptoms is contact your health care provider to discuss how you’re feeling. Follow your doctor’s instructions about what to do to take care of yourself and minimize the potential that you’ll infect others. If your symptoms remain mild, you can recover at home by getting lots of rest, hydrating, practicing good hand hygiene and self-isolation, and manage your fever or aches and pains with an over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen. That said, you should also be aware of what symptoms to look out for that signal that the disease has gotten worse and that you might need emergency medical attention. Emergency warning signs include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, feeling confused or unable to rouse, or bluish lips or face. If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor—or 911—immediately. Related: - [No, the Coronavirus Isn’t Just a Bad Flu](https://www.self.com/story/coronavirus-is-not-flu) - [What to Do If You Think You May Have Coronavirus](https://www.self.com/story/coronavirus-infection-plan) - [How to Know If You Need to Go to the E.R. With Coronavirus](https://www.self.com/story/coronavirus-er-signs) [![](https://media.self.com/photos/5b881cac9134316166c7782c/1:1/w_90%2Cc_limit/headshot_korin.jpg)](https://www.self.com/contributor/korin-miller) Korin is a former New Yorker who now lives at the beach. She received a double B.A. in International Relations and Marketing from The College of William & Mary (which she doesn't use at all now) and an M.A. in Interactive Journalism from American University. Korin has been published in ... [Read More](https://www.self.com/contributor/korin-miller) SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Topics[cold and flu](https://www.self.com/topic/cold-and-flu)[infections](https://www.self.com/topic/infections)[COVID-19](https://www.self.com/topic/covid-19)[Q fever](https://www.self.com/topic/q-fever) ### SELF Daily Get healthier and happier with expert advice delivered to your inbox daily. [![SELF](https://www.self.com/verso/static/self-us/assets/logo-reverse.svg)](https://www.self.com/) Discover new workout ideas, healthy-eating recipes, makeup looks, skin-care advice, the best beauty products and tips, trends, and more from SELF. 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Readable Markdown	If you’ve found yourself puzzling over your thermometer and wondering what temperature is considered a fever lately, you’re definitely not alone. If you feel like crap but your thermometer swears you don’t have a temperature, where does that leave you? Or if you feel generally okay but you’re reading a temperature higher than 98.6, what should you do? Well, it turns out that diagnosing a fever may not be as straightforward as we’ve been led to believe. Here are a few common questions you might have about fevers, taking your temperature, and assessing your health, as well as answers from doctors. What temperature is considered a fever? Technically, the [CDC defines a fever](https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/air/reporting-deaths-illness/definitions-symptoms-reportable-illnesses.html) as having a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater. However, the organization says that it also considers someone to have a fever when they “feel warm to the touch or give a history of feeling feverish.” The [Infectious Diseases Society of America](https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/48/2/149/304388#74158021) also recognizes that fever detection isn’t totally clear-cut. The organization says you have a fever if you have a single oral temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or two repeated oral temperatures above 99 degrees, a rectal temperature above 99.5 degrees, or an increase in your temperature of two degrees over your baseline. “If a temperature exceeds an upper limit of 100 degrees, I consider it abnormal,” Morton Tavel, M.D., a clinical professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and author of Snake Oil Is Alive and Well: The Clash Between Myths and Reality—Reflections of a Physician, tells SELF. Basically, there’s a lot of room for interpretation and context here. Why do we consider 98.6 degrees a normal temperature? We’ve been trained to think of 98.6 degrees as a “normal” temperature, but it’s actually just an average, Susan Besser, M.D., a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, tells SELF. ### SELF Daily Get healthier and happier with expert advice delivered to your inbox daily. Yep, it turns out that oft-cited number [originally came](https://www.jstor.org/stable/4457716?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents) from the work of German doctor Carl Wunderlich in the 1800s. Subsequent modern studies have disagreed on the exact average number (such as [this 1992 study in JAMA](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/400116) that settled on 98.2 degrees). And [new research published in January 2020](https://elifesciences.org/articles/49555) suggested that the new average temperature is actually 97.9 degrees. So, although 98.6 degrees may be a fine estimate of “normal” for many people, your personal normal temperature may [be a bit higher or lower](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001982.htm), as long as you still feel okay. “Few people have 98.6 as their normal, really,” Dr. Besser says. Most Popular Why does my temperature change throughout the day? Glad you asked. This introduces another confusing problem: Your baseline temperature can vary based on several different factors. Your temp is going to vary based on the time of day and what you’re doing, Dr. Besser says. In general, your baseline temperature is [lower in the morning](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759), revs up during the day, and goes down overnight because your metabolism is slower while you sleep. Aside from that, there are [a bunch of other things](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/basal-body-temperature/about/pac-20393026) that can affect your body temperature. That includes [your age](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3107024/), [drinking alcohol](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16377461), physical activity, being [severely dehydrated](https://www.self.com/story/how-being-dehydrated-impacts-your-workouts), and where you are [in your menstrual cycle](https://www.self.com/story/what-you-need-to-know-before-relying-on-an-app-for-birth-control). Also worth noting that if you’re concerned about the new coronavirus, people report fevers (and other symptoms) that can come and go. Doctors recommend that, if you’re worried you have the new coronavirus, you take your temperature twice per day for several days in a row, and make sure that at least one of those times is during the afternoon or evening hours, when the temperature might be naturally higher. How can I figure out my normal, or baseline, temperature? If you want to try to figure out your standard baseline temperature, you can try taking it for a few days in a row at the same time when you’re healthy, Dr. Tavel says. That should give you a pretty decent idea, but you have to make sure you’re consistent about it. Another important thing to remember is that whenever you’re taking your temperature, make sure you’re doing it correctly. First off, your choice of thermometer matters: If you take your temperature with a forehead thermometer, you’re probably going to get a slightly different number than if you used an ear, oral, or rectal thermometer. Rectal thermometers are the best way to get an accurate temperature, Dr. Besser says, but you’re probably not in a huge rush to get one of those. Most Popular When using an oral thermometer, you also want to make sure that you’re keeping your mouth closed the entire time, she says. Keep in mind that if you keep opening your mouth because [you’re coughing](https://www.self.com/story/a-woman-coughed-so-hard-she-broke-her-ribs) or congested, it’ll make your reading less accurate. What other symptoms beside fever should I worry about or pay attention to? A fever is just one symptom, and the way you feel matters just as much as your temperature. “A fever or higher temperature does tell you that there’s inflammation, either from an infection or some other inflammatory process,” Russ Kino, M.D., medical director of the Weingart Foundation Emergency Department at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells SELF. “\[But\] you don’t need to have a fever to be sick.” For example, as the CDC explains, a fever is a common symptom of the flu and rarely a symptom of the common cold—but it’s possible to have a fever (or not have one) with either illness. So, although a fever may be an important clue, it’s still just one piece of the puzzle. Which brings us back to the new coronavirus. If you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19—such as fever or a cough—it’s possible you might have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In that case, try to stay calm—many people can have mild versions of the disease and can recover at home (in fact, if your symptoms are mild it’s really important that you stay home, rather than go to the E.R., so that we don’t risk overloading our already overburdened health care system). The first thing you should do if you develop symptoms is contact your health care provider to discuss how you’re feeling. Follow your doctor’s instructions about what to do to take care of yourself and minimize the potential that you’ll infect others. If your symptoms remain mild, you can recover at home by getting lots of rest, hydrating, practicing good hand hygiene and self-isolation, and manage your fever or aches and pains with an over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen. That said, you should also be aware of what symptoms to look out for that signal that the disease has gotten worse and that you might need emergency medical attention. Emergency warning signs include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, feeling confused or unable to rouse, or bluish lips or face. If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor—or 911—immediately. Related: - [No, the Coronavirus Isn’t Just a Bad Flu](https://www.self.com/story/coronavirus-is-not-flu) - [What to Do If You Think You May Have Coronavirus](https://www.self.com/story/coronavirus-infection-plan) - [How to Know If You Need to Go to the E.R. With Coronavirus](https://www.self.com/story/coronavirus-er-signs)
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