A discussion of the assessment and interpretation of body temperature, including problems with thermometer inaccuracies, and common myths about normal temperature and the definition of a fever.

@0:00 Introduction
@0:31 Thermometers and their accuracy
@4:21 Normal range of temperature and definition of a fever
@10:38 Etiologies of fevers and hypothermia
@12:06 Common pitfalls/mistakes

References:

Cutuli SL, et al. Accuracy of noninvasive body temperature measurement methods in adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Crit Care Resusc. 2023; 23:613.

Niven DJ, et al. Accuracy of peripheral thermometers for estimating temperature. Ann Intern Med. 2015;163:76877.

SundLevander M, Forsberg C, Wahren LK. Normal oral, rectal, tympanic and axillary body temperature in adult men and women: a systematic literature review. Scand J Caring Sci. 2002; 16:1228.

Protsiv M, et al. Decreasing human body temperature in the United States since the industrial revolution. Elife. 2020;7:9:e49555.

Pecoraro V, et al. The diagnostic accuracy of digital, infrared and mercuryinglass thermometers in measuring body temperature: a systematic review and network metaanalysis. Intern Emerg Med. 2021; 16:107183.

Mah AJ, et al. Studying the accuracy and function of different thermometry techniques for measuring body temperature. Biology. 2021; 10:1327.

Mackowiak PA, Wasserman SS, Levine MM. A critical appraisal of 98.6 degrees F, the upper limit of the normal body temperature, and other legacies of Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich. JAMA. 1992; 268:157880.

Mackowiak PA, Worden G. Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich and the evolution of clinical thermometry. Clin Infect Dis. 1994; 18:45867.

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