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body temperature
Mean normal temperature for young healthy adults is 36.8 +/- 0.4 degrees C (98.2 +/- 0.7 F). Maximal normal temperature ranges from 37.2 C (98.9 F) at 6 AM to 37.7 C (99.9 F) at 4 PM.
In the elderly, body temperature is lower, & variation in temperature declines with age.
For elderly (mean age 81 years) [1]
time mean temperature setting
6 AM 97.3 F, 36.3 C nursing home
4 PM 97.4 F, 36.3 C nursing home
10 PM 97.8 F. 36.6 C nursing home
12 PM 97.7 F, 36.5 C community
In the oldest old, body temperature does not vary.
Epidemiology:
- progressive decline in average normal body temperature of 0.03 C per birth decade.since industrial revolution [2]
Procedure:
For measurements of body temperature:
- rectal temperatures are the most reliable
- oral temperatures ok for older children & adults oral temperatures read 0.5-1 degree F lower than rectal temperature
- ear thermometer, useful when oral temperatures not practical - earwax can interfere do not use if ear infection
- temporal thermometer uses infrared technology to read temperature while scanning the forehead
- axillary temperatures are least accurate
Related
age-associated changes in temperature regulation
hyperthermia (pyrexia)
hypothermia
pain & temperature sensation
Specific
core temperature
General
temperature
vital signs (V/S)
References
- Gomolin IH, Aung MM, Wolf-Klein G, Auerbach C.
Older is colder: temperature range and variation in older people.
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005 Dec;53(12):2170-2.
PMID: 16398904
- Protsiv M, Ley C, Lankester J, Hastie T, Parsonnet J.
Decreasing human body temperature in the United States since
the Industrial Revolution.
eLife 2020 Jan 7; 9:e49555
PMID: 31908267 Free PMC Article
https://elifesciences.org/articles/49555