What does it mean when your temperature goes DOWN?

[Eve]

I've been home, sick as a pup all week (finally back to work today—wobbly, but, like a Weeble, I trust I shall not fall down).

Anyway, while I was curled up on the floor feeling sorry for myself, I thought, "Jeez, my temp must be up to 103º, the way I feel," so I got out the thermom—and it read 96º, much to my chagrin. What the hell did that mean? Was I dead? In shock? Or am I just the chilly bitch everyone accuses me of being?

No, I had not been drinking anything cool, by the way . . .

[MissBHaven]

Eve, I wouldn't worry too much. My temp always goes down when I'm sick! Glad I'm not the only one. Hope you feel better!

[Alonist]

I've read that certain types of virus infection can reduce body temperature. I'll let somebody else research why; I don't feel so good this morning. Also, normal temperature varies from person to person and by time of day; probably lowest in the morning. Normal body temperature, I think, is now defined as being in a range from about 92 to 99 degrees.

[Eve]

Hmmm. Well, I think mine is usually 98.something-or-other. This was at night and I was feeling particularly awful—chills, hot flashes—which is why I took it in the first place. New digital thermometer; are those things reliable?

I'm gonna go have some ice water . . . Still feel pretty wobbly . . . Hope I don't have to edit any recipe articles today . . .

[handy]

I surf a lot in very cold water so I get a dropping temperature a lot. It's quite alright as long as it doesn't drop too far. The first thing that lets you know that it's too far down is that you get amnesia. I think that happens around 92 ; but don't quote me on that. Thus, if I can't remember the last wave I took, I usually take that as a hint to get out of the water.

But 96 is okay, youll be fine. Try a cool washrag on your forehead instead of ice.

[Eve]

Hmmm. Thanks, all. I'm back at work today, looking Interestingly Pale. Thing about being really sick when you live alone is, you have the choice between:

• Calling an ambulance or cab and winding up looking like those stupid prats on "Trauma—Life in the ER" who are sitting there with a broken fingernail while other people are wandering in carrying their own decapitated heads, or,

• Lying there on the floor and expiring, so they find you devoured by your cats two months later.

I opted for the "devoured by cats" scenario. How about those digital thermoms? Are they pretty reliable?

—The Ice Queen

[sk8rixtx]

Originally posted by Eve
How about those digital thermoms? Are they pretty reliable?

—The Ice Queen

They should be. Most hospitals use them now.

[MsWhatsit]

I take my temperature every single morning as part of my birth control method (NOTE: I am not trying to start a debate about this here, just explaining why I take my temperature every morning), and my temperature can vary from 96.1 to 98.7, give or take a few tenths of a degree. So unless you happen to know differently, it's possible that your normal body temp is just a little lower than average.

[aseymayo]

I don't know how to break this to you, Eve, but a lot of us experience a temperature drop at Certain Times of the Month, if you know what I mean (don't want to upset the menfolk), when hormone levels drop. So the good news is you're probably not dying and the bad news is you're liable to be a tad grumpy this weekend. Stock up on some chocolate.

[pluto]

If your temperature gets all the way down to room temperature that's a bad thing, Eve. For you, anyway. Not necessarily for your cats.

My doctor's office no longer uses digital thermometers -- they use the "Thermosensing Ear Gun" or whatever the technical term is. The thing they stick in your ear for a second or two and read your temperature. That device, along with the "Automatic Eye-Scanning Prescription Decider" that my ophthalmologist uses makes me actually believe that some day we will have Star Trek-type medicine where they wave a tricorder over you and diagnose all your ills. "Our sensors show that it's that time of the month. Let me replicate you some chocolate."

[handy]

Sure, at Longs you can get the Ear digital thermoms....Cost about $50.00 though, take one second to work.

[rowrrbazzle]

I've noticed that my temperature is usually slightly below normal if I take it first thing in the A.M.

I was using a regular mercury thermometer, but now I use an $8 digital from Walgreens. You press a button to turn it on, stick it under your tongue, and it beeps when the temperature seems to stabilize. It's accurate, but with one peculiarity. It beeps a little too early, before the temperature has really stabilized, so I reset it and try again. The retry gives an accurate reading.

At least I don't have to sprain my wrist to shake the mercury back down to the bulb. And since the last time I had a fever was when I was a kid, that's a bit of inconvenience I don't need. But I do get bronchitis twice a year.

[handy]

Yeah, I have bronchitis now, I sure wish I knew where the bacteria comes from.....

Anyway, webmd.com has extensive medical information on any topic......if you ever need any.