Is 99 Degrees Considered a Fever- an Overview

Have you ever wondered “how”, when your doctor indicates 100 degrees Fahrenheit as a severe fever and 99 degrees Fahrenheit a normal body temperature? Join the club, you are not alone! In this article, you will learn what is normal body temperature in Fahrenheit, what temperature is considered a fever, etc. 

From a clinical point of view, 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above is considered a true fever. According to a physician named Ellen Fozman, it can be difficult to make sense of the gray area that exists between a normal body temperature and the ‘textbook definition’ of burning up. 

There is no default body temperature, it may vary from person to person. Since your childhood, you must have heard that a body temperature of 98.6 degree Fahrenheit is normal. This theory about body temperature was founded by Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich, a German physician in 1868. But, today this temperature is much lower than what we consider as an average body temperature. Currently, it is 97. 5 degree Fahrenheit. However, 99 degrees Fahrenheit is also normal body temperature nowadays due to population and climate change. Is 99 degrees considered a fever? In case your temperature is 99 degrees Fahrenheit along with several symptoms of infections, a doctor visit might also help. There are several reasons why your body temperature may increase or decrease. In general, men tend to have lower body temperature than women. Aging and temperature of your circumstance can also affect your body temperature. As you age, your average body temperature might also decrease accordingly. What temperature is considered a fever? No matter what your age or circumstance is, 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and above is considered the body fever temperature where your true fever starts. Usually, human bodies tend to have different body temperatures in the mornings, afternoons, and nights. A 2002 study in Japan found that ovulation, exercising, stress, and pregnancy are also considered main reasons for raise in body temperature.

What Is Considered a Fever?

Usually, people can tell if they have a fever or not by determining their body temperature. A thermometer is the most commonly used device to check one’s body temperature. But instead of relying on a device to see if you have a fever or not, just notice how you feel. Everyone’s body is different and one can easily tell how they feel when they have fever/infection. But, those feelings are not always related to fever, it could sometimes be due to tiredness, cold circumstances, etc. Oral thermometer and ear thermometer are found to provide accurate temperatures than armpit and temple thermometers. If your temperature is increasing and you continue to feel the same way for more than a day, then it’s definitely time to visit your doctor. However, if you have other symptoms of viral fevers such as CoronaVirus, etc. you must isolate yourself and take a COVID-19 test immediately. This way you are also saving your family members from the infection.

Watch Out for the Listed Symptoms:

• Body pain
• Smelly urine
• Pain during urination
• Common cold accompanied by a sore throat and running nose.
• Seizure

If any of these symptoms persist, you must fix an appointment with your doctor. 

To conclude, 99 degrees Fahrenheit along with noticeable symptoms of fever/infection is considered a fever. If you are absolutely fine but sometimes your body temperature is 99 degrees Fahrenheit only in certain circumstances like climatic change and being in a hot room, you can ignore it. They say prevention is better than cure, that’s absolutely true. Being hygienic and maintaining a healthy immune system are two super easy but effective ways to keep yourself away from hazardous viruses and bacteria!