What is the normal temperature of the human body?
The generally accepted standard for human body temperature of 36.6°C appeared in 1868. It was introduced by the German physician Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich, who measured the temperature of 25 000 patients. It turned out that 36.6°C degrees was "the average for those lying in hospital". Nearly 100 years later, with the advent of more accurate thermometers, scientists at the University of Maryland refined the average - it is now 0.2°C degrees higher at 36.8°C.
Nowadays, a body temperature of 35.2°C to 36.8°C degrees measured under the armpit, 36.4°C to 37.2°C degrees under the tongue and 36.2°C to 37.7°C degrees in the rectum is considered normal, the therapists explain. At the same time, in some cases the temperature may be temporarily outside this range. At nightfall, for example, the body temperature is usually close to or even equal to 37°C degrees.
Body temperature varies depending on our activity (with high activity, the temperature may rise slightly) and the time of day. Normal daily temperature ranges from 0.5°C -0.7°C degrees. When you fall asleep, all your body processes slow down and your body temperature drops slightly to 35°C -36°C degrees.
