Index Fever A body temperature of 98.6 o F is average.
Many healthy people have temperatures a degree above or below average.
Normal body temperature can be from 97 o F Body temperature goes up and down during the day, too. Your temperature is usually lower in the morning and higher in the evening. You may think you have a fever when you don't, particularly if you drink something before taking your temperature. A rectal reading is one degree higher than one by mouth or ear. If none of these things is true and your temperature is over 99 o F, you may have a fever.