Normal adult temperature question

My temperature has sometimes gone up as high as 100F over the last 10 years since I have taken it regularly but most of the time it's 97 or 98 (point) somthing. I have been noticing that it seems to go higher after I eat a full meal. For example, I took it once or twice today and it was normal but in the evening I ate a big dinner (with second helpings) and then took it and it was 99.4.

Well, I freaked and thought this was a sign of something aweful and so I started looking on Google to see what the normal adult human temp was supposed to be and everyone seems to have an opinion on this so it just confused me. Is it normal for your temp to go up after a meal and just what is the normal oral temp for an adult?. I have been using a digital thermometer and I still don't trust it.

Also, the pollen has been very high in my area for ages and I suffer from chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. My nose has been all crusty and plugged up pretty good too. My eyes go from bone-dry to watery and I even get this white film of dried tears on the sides of my eyes some mornings. Normal?.

Could any of this make you have a temp or is'nt this a temp at all?. Would any of you be willing to take your temps real quick and let me know what it is?. I know it sounds silly but it might ease my mind and I woiuld really appreciate it.

Thank you!

How soon after you eat do you check it? If you eat something hot, it will give a false high reading because your mouth is going to be warm for at least 10 minutes after eating or drinking something hot. It will also give a false low reading if you eat or drink something cold. Wait at least 10 minutes before checking.

It's also normal for your temperature to go up a little bit in the evening.

GG, your temp will fluctuate throughout the day depending on lots of factors, and none of them because you're sick.

I'd say check your temp once a day right after you get up, or maybe before you even get out of bed (like women who want to know when they're ovulating do) to get a baseline normal for you.

Your metabolic rate can also raise or lower your temperature, so if your anxious or a little jittery, your temp will also go up.

I also just Googled and the adult average oral temp can be anywhere from 97-100.

((((((greygoose))))))

my temp is 98.4.......i'll take it after i eat....i believe that your temps are all normal. if you compute it, 100 is not much over 98.6..that's not even 2 degrees.and 99.4 is not even a degree..sometimes i run a bit of a temp with my allergies.......the eye thing is normal..mine get crusty at different times....depends upon how much pollen and stuff is around. you're okay.....my credentials are: i was married to a doctor for a very long time,i reared four children, i've worked in emergency rooms and i work for a doctor now.....and i'm enrolling in a year of nursing in August...take care, pat

Mine is always around the 97.3-ish to 98.0-ish range.

Ry

The guidelines for most daycares is a temperature of 101 - so I've always figured that your temperature means little until it's at least 101 for a period of time (like a day).

An old medical book I have states, "Temperature varies with time of day and other factors, so don't worry about minor changes." It also says that for "most people" normal temps are from 97.6 to 99.6 - this is for oral readings. The book I have is too old for digital.

Well, all of this makes me feel a whole lot better. You people are really awesome here. ((((((((group hug)))))))))). I guess I was thinking about the time I went to the ER after I cut my finger and as soon as the triage nurse took my temp, her whole attitude suddenly changed and when she started asking me questions again, I turned to answer and she snapped "turn your head when you talk to me - you have a fever!". Right then, I felt like a quivering mass of disease-infected bio-toxin and I just slumped over in my chair, heart racing. When I asked her what my temp was, she simply said "100". She reminded me of that old battle axe in the Haines underwear commercials (ie; "they don't say haines until I say they say haines!!"). Anyone remember that?. Anyway, thank's for the feedback. I have been trying to find info on allergy/temp links but have had no luck whatsoever so far. Oh well...

hahahahaha, yeah, I remember the Hanes commercials. Wasn't she inspector 12?

Ah, the nurse was probably just having a crummy day. Kids can go to school and day care around here as long as the temp isn't above 101. She must be a old-school nurse. LOL Probably still rubs butter on burns, too.

wi_fighter...ROTFL....you made me laugh!!!:-)

At your service GG. Any time.

Here's a link I found with lots of information on temperatures. It's a lot of reading but it covers a lot of information.

http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw198785.asp

Thank you. I went to the link and found the informaion there very helpful:-)

Basically, I run below the normal temp for adults, and once in awhile get near 100 degrees, for someone with a lower than average temp. can make you feel like 100 is super high, then this goes away, puzzling? Yes, but never show up at doc office as being sick, just something passing.
What I have learned, body temp can rise after eating (fuel) and I know for kids, but not about adults, that fevers will peak in the evenings, I can't remember why (lost memory) but it does.
Perhaps, that applies for adults too? Peri-menopausal women can have up and down temps too, hormones, grrrr!
I can go from 94-95 degrees, feel like I have the "chills" and then bundle up and poof! rise up to almost 100 degrees, drives me nuts sometimes, but again when checked by the doc, and a slew of blood tests, results come back "normal", I don't get it.
Sorry, if I couldn't answer your question, but thought I'd share the frustration I have with this "norm" adult body temp. thing, it puzzles me.
Oh, I get bouts with sinusitus, use to get sinus infections, so when I get a low grade temp I start to think it can be that, and then again when I see the doc all checks out normal.

Well, I hope you feel better soon.



DE

I can't really help ya. My normal temp when I am not sick is 97.5. I must be coldblooded..... lol. When I am at 100 I am sick!!!!!!!

Hi Grey,

My normal temp runs below average, but it fluctuates through out the day. My doctor told me that it is entirely norml, so that may explain why your temp is also fluctuating.

Remember that when we eat, our body's metabolism increases to handle the food. That might also be a reason for your temp increase.

Also consider what type of food you are eating. Are you eating hot and/or spicy foods? Try eating something at room temperature and see what happens.

Jan

My normal temp is around 97.6 when it gets to over 99 I worry and hole up in my apartment til it comes down. When I worked at Burger King I tried to call in once because my temp was 100.8 and I still had to go to work so I guess it doesn't really matter until its over 101.

Janniebug

Hmmm are you wanting a normal adult or a normal temperature? lol

The "norm" is 98.6F statistically speaking. Various body sites of readings, and type of thermometer may vary the intended reading and should be addressed via the directions on the package!

With that said, MY norm is 96.8F. (Talk about the looks I get from nurses and doctors who think I have it backwards when I tell them!) So when I have a temp of 99 F I HAVE A HIGH TEMP!

Food, the process of digestion will change your temperature... hot food or cold. (And not everyone reacts the same way: if I drink hot liquids, I get hotter. My mother, however, can drink hot liquids and her body kicks in to cool her down!)

Outside environmental temperature will also change your body temperature and readings...

I agree with the idea that if you are taking your temperature that often and worrying about it that much, THAT is the symptom you should be treating, not your body temperature.