A temperature is a measurement of body heat, while a fever is an elevated body temperature, typically indicating illness.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
-
Temperature: This refers to the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment. In the context of health, it's a measure of your body's internal heat level. Normal body temperature usually falls between 97.5°F (36.4°C) and 98.9°F (37.2°C). This can vary slightly from person to person and throughout the day.
-
Fever: A fever is defined as a body temperature that is higher than the normal range. Most healthcare providers consider a fever to be 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. A fever is usually a sign that your body is fighting off an infection or illness.
In essence, all fevers are temperatures, but not all temperatures are fevers. A normal temperature is just that – normal. A fever is a temperature that is abnormally high.
Here's a simple analogy: Think of temperature as a general category, like "speed." A fever is a specific instance within that category, like "speeding." Speed is the general measure of how fast something is moving, and speeding is when that speed exceeds the legal limit. Similarly, temperature is the general measure of body heat, and a fever is when that temperature exceeds the normal range.
