For centuries, society has accepted that the average body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrigley’s helped disseminate this fact with its Winterfresh gum commercial from 1998, claiming, “It’s a Scorching 98.6 Degrees Inside Your Mouth.” It’s widely accepted science. But, that number might actually be outdated and not a reflection of the truth of our bodies when they’re well and when they’re sick.
A Texas-based TikTok creator recently challenged the 98.6 number and surprisingly, the medical community agrees with her.
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Jenna, a self-described nerdy Gen Xer, who goes by @jennjenbean on TikTok, said that the more accurate average of healthy human body temperature is actually 97.9. Jenna shared that the 98.6 number came from a study from 1860. The study only tested 25,000 people from Germany. The doctors averaged the temperatures from the test subjects and settled on 98.6 for our default body temperature.
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@jennjenbean Anyone else feel like their face is burning and they are just feeling icky when their temperature is in the 90s and below 100°?
♬ original sound – Jenna
But Jenna shared that more recent studies have concluded something different. These newer studies, including hundreds of thousands of test subjects, determined that our average body temp is closer to 97.9. Scientists don’t know the reason why the number may have decreased over time. It could be attributed to less inflammation in modern society and/or the ease of our work, compared to in societies of the past.
If the average body temp has gone down, that also means we must adjust which number represents a fever. Typically, people associate 100 degrees as a fever. But Jenna, who says her normal body temperature is 97.6, felt horrible at 99.1. She said if a 1.4 difference from 98.6 is a fever, why isn’t that also the case in 1.4-degree jump from 97.6 to 99? “What’s so magical about that 100 number?” Jenna asks.
Other people shared Jenna’s experiences. “I’m usually around 96 something,” one user wrote. “So 98 is a fevers for me.”
Other people tended to run hotter.
“I’m usually 99.4,” another TikToker wrote.
“They always tell me I have a low grade fever,” someone wrote. “It’s always 99.4. I’m just really hot. they’re always like ‘no. It’s a fever.’ K, cool,I’ve been running a fever since 1988.”
Another commenter shared that this is why doctors say things like, “Treat the person not the fever.” They continued, “Basically how is the person feeling. Our Dr. told us don’t wait until a child is 100 to treat a fever if the child is lethargic.”
The whole discussion just confirmed something we know, but may need reminding of: We’re all different. What works for one of us, might not work for another.
*Disclaimer: The advice on LittleThings.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
