What is considered normal body temperature?
A. Normal temperature differs from person to person. According to one study, the average normal oral temperature is 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit, not 98.6. Body temperature typically varies one to two degrees throughout the day. Q. What does a fever mean? A. Many doctors define fever as an oral temperature above 99.4 degrees or a rectal temperature above 100.4 degrees. A fever tells you that there is some kind of infection in the body and that the body is fighting it. Q. Is there any truth to the saying, “Feed a cold and starve a fever”? A. Though fever usually dulls the appetite, it actually increases a body’s demand for calories. If your child has a fever and happens to be hungry, it’s okay for him or her to eat. It’s especially important for the child to drink plenty of liquids. Q. Should you treat a fever? A. Treating fever won’t cure the underlying illness, but it can make a child with a fever feel better. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can relieve p
