Have we gotten it wrong for all these years? The notion of a single “normal” number appears to be a myth.

Your “normal” body temperature may not be as normal as you think.

The often cited 98.6 F (37 C) benchmark was established nearly two centuries ago, yet recent research reveals our inner thermometers actually fluctuate based on a variety of factors.

From your age and sex to the time of day and where you call home, the numbers on the thermometer tell a more nuanced story than “regular” or “fever” suggests, and they may be a sign of untreated and potentially serious health problems.