Body Temperature and Health: The Link Between Fever and Illness

Body temperature is an important indicator of general health. Generally, when the temperature rises above the normal level, it is due to fever.

There isn't really a single "normal" body temperature, in actuality. Everyone has their own ordinary, albeit even that is more of a sliding scale throughout the course of your lifetime than a fixed number.

However, there are limits, patterns, and instances where you should pay special attention to a thermometer's reading.

---

What is normal body temperature?

Most people likely we all learned as children that a person's body temperature should be kept between 37 degrees Celsius and 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This widely used figure was determined through the mid-1800s.

However, more recent research indicates that the average individual today likely runs a little bit colder than that, between 97.5 F (36.4 C) and 97.9 F (36.6 C).

Rise in temperature may be a sign of fever. (Image via Pexels/ Andrea Piacquadio)

Which number is then accurate? While it is true that your temperature can fluctuate up, down, and all around, it typically remains within a specific range. Any temperature between 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit is typically regarded as normal.

However, a completely healthy person occasionally may have a temperature that is marginally higher or marginally lower than that.

Through a process known as thermoregulation, which balances heat generation and heat loss, the body's interior temperature is kept constant. The brain's hypothalamus, which serves as the body's thermostat, aids in controlling body temperature.

In order for a stronger immune system, hormone production, and enzymatic reactions to take place, as well as other vital bodily processes, a normal temperature range is necessary.

---

Why my body is always hot but with no fever?

Many people frequently express the complaint of feeling hot without having a fever. In some circumstances, environmental variables, such as hot weather or being in a warm room, maybe the cause of feeling overheated.

It may, however, be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as hyperthyroidism or menopause, if you feel hot all the time without a fever.

Some may feel hot without a fever. (Image via Pexels/ Polina Tankilevitch)

In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland generates excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, which raises the temperature and metabolic rate.

Women go through menopause naturally when their ovaries stop releasing eggs, which causes their estrogen levels to drop and their temperatures to rise.

---

High body temperature and fever

A typical symptom of an elevated body temperature is fever. A temperature of at least 100.4°F (38°C) is considered to be a fever. By triggering the immune system, fever develops as a normal reaction to an infection or illness and aids the body in warding off harmful germs. A fever typically indicates that the body is battling an infection or illness.

Numerous conditions, such as bacterial or viral infections, autoimmune disorders, heat stroke, or adverse drug reactions, can raise the temperature or induce a fever. Depending on the underlying reason, the fever's severity might range from low to severe. A fever may cause chills, a headache, aches in the muscles, and exhaustion.

---

In a general sense, a person's body temperature is an important sign of their general health, and fever is a typical symptom that goes along with an increase in temperature. Fever or a high body temperature can have a number of reasons, such as bacterial or viral infections, autoimmune disorders, heat stroke, or adverse drug reactions.

It's important to consult with your healthcare professional to identify the underlying reason for your persistent heat discomfort and create a suitable treatment plan if you are constantly hot without a fever.