Body temperature is that recorded in the body of an individual or animal.
Body temperature is that which is recorded in the body of a person or an animal . This temperature varies depending on the time of day, although it is generally accepted that the temperature considered normal for humans is around 37º C.
It should be noted that temperature is a magnitude that reflects the amount of heat of something. Corporeal , for its part, is that linked to the body (something with restricted extension or the set of organs, devices and systems that make up living beings).
High and low body temperature
According to the indicated parameters, when the temperature is 38º C or higher the person has a high temperature . This phenomenon is known as fever and is usually the symptom of an illness or an infectious process.
If the temperature, however, drops below 36º C , the human being suffers hypothermia . This drop in body temperature can occur due to taking drugs, malnutrition or staying in an environment with excessive cold, among other reasons.
It should be noted that the body has mechanisms to regulate its temperature according to the temperature of the environment. Through thermoregulation , therefore, the body loses or gains heat to maintain a balance.
Body temperature can be measured with an infrared thermometer.
Data of interest
It is also important to know another series of curiosities about body temperature:
- As a general rule, it is considered that women have a slightly higher temperature than men, approximately 0.2º C. However, this depends on the moment they are in, based on the menstrual cycle, for example.
- While sitting you have a lower temperature than when you are standing. This difference may be around 0.3º C or 0.4º C.
- The best time of day to control and know body temperature is in the period from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- There are a series of factors that can introduce changes in temperature such as alcohol intake, stress, sadness, diet and even anger.
Medicine does not record cases of people who have survived with a body temperature below 13º C or above 47º C. Before reaching these values, however, individuals may suffer various problems: tremors, tachycardia, loss of consciousness and others.
Body temperature measurement
The instrument used to measure body temperature is called a thermometer . There are four ways to take someone's body temperature:
- Placing the thermometer under the tongue and keeping the mouth closed.
- Inserting the end of the aforementioned device into the ear.
- Proceeding to place the thermometer in the rectum.
- Placing it directly in the armpit area.
However, we cannot ignore that there are currently also thermometers that work with infrared systems. This means that they do not have to be placed on any area of the body but rather they must simply be passed over the person's forehead, without having to touch them, and this is how you know if they have a fever or not.