Is this possible?

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Is it possible for a person's average/normal temperature to be 93-94 degrees? I'm asking because someone told me that when she is at 98.6, that's a high fever for her, since she runs at 93-94 degrees....

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

I doubt it. I can't tell you how many times I have heard people use that statement though. Usually very dramatically, too. Their temp reads out 98.2 and they exclaim with alarm that they definitely have a fever because they normally are only 96 or 97 degrees. I find it extremely hard to believe that a person could have a core temp of 93-94 degrees and not exhibit signs of hypothermia. Its possible that they don't have a working thermometer or are not using the thermometer correctly.

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A quadriplegic patient had a normal temp of 93-94. Temp had been in the normal 98 range prior to spinal cord injury. Stated when hospitalized one time, could not get idea across to their nurse that this was now their norm.

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It seems, to me, that the ones claiming 98.6 is a "raging fever" for them have no other s/s of an infection.

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Yes, she is rather dramatic. It's my MIL. She is a very 'needy' person and I honestly think this is just an attempt to get attention. UGH! ;) Thanks for your replies!

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Specializes in CVICU.

I doubt this person would be that cold constantly or they would also be very acidotic... it is common for the elderly to run lower than the rest of us (about a degree lower), but any lower than that would be incompatible with life... heh.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_human_body_temperature

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

ah - say no more... it seems the more melodramatic a person is, the lower their temp needs to be to be considered a raging fever.

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