{
  "id": "human-body-temperature",
  "title": "Human body temperature reference — fever thresholds, per-site averages, care-seeking lines, hypothermia staging",
  "description": "Every row is one number that a named public-health or clinical source actually publishes, with the URL it was read from and a verbatim fragment. Deliberately excludes any band that no source publishes.",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "updated": "2026-08-27",
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "attribution": "ctofconverter.com",
  "languages": [
    "en"
  ],
  "page": "/body-temperature-chart-fever-guide",
  "provenance": [
    {
      "source": "NHS — Fever in adults / Fever in children / Hypothermia / How to take your baby's temperature",
      "url": "https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-adults/",
      "checkedOn": "2026-08-27",
      "note": "All four NHS pages re-fetched from this machine on 2026-08-27 and returned HTTP 200 with the quoted strings present. Other NHS URLs used: /symptoms/fever-in-children/, /conditions/hypothermia/, /baby/health/how-to-take-your-babys-temperature/."
    },
    {
      "source": "StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf) — Hypothermia (NBK545239) and Physiology, Fever (NBK562334)",
      "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545239/",
      "checkedOn": "2026-08-27",
      "note": "Both chapters re-fetched 2026-08-27 (HTTP 200). NBK545239 is the source for the 35 °C hypothermia definition, the 36.5–37.5 °C normal range and the mild/moderate/severe staging. NBK562334 is the source for the low/moderate/high/hyperthermia fever bands and the per-site average readings."
    },
    {
      "source": "Merck Manual, Professional Version — Fever",
      "url": "https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/biology-of-infectious-disease/fever",
      "checkedOn": "2026-08-27",
      "note": "Re-fetched 2026-08-27 (HTTP 200). Source for the 40 °C / 35 °C red flags and the 0.6 °C site offsets."
    },
    {
      "source": "NICE CG65 — Hypothermia in the perioperative period (via NCBI Bookshelf NBK554181)",
      "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554181/",
      "checkedOn": "2026-08-27",
      "note": "Re-fetched 2026-08-27 (HTTP 200). Source for the separate perioperative 'low core temperature' cut-off of 36.0 °C, which is NOT a definition of hypothermia."
    },
    {
      "source": "Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne — Temperature management (paediatric guideline)",
      "url": "https://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/hospital_clinical_guideline_index/Temperature_management/",
      "checkedOn": "2026-08-27",
      "note": "Re-fetched 2026-08-27 (HTTP 200). Source for the paediatric / neonatal low-temperature thresholds used in hospital care."
    },
    {
      "source": "Mayo Clinic and CDC pages",
      "url": "https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-fever/basics/art-20056685",
      "checkedOn": "2026-08-27",
      "note": "Quotes were captured by a manual read of these pages on 2026-08-27 and recorded in docs/数据来源核查-2026-08-27.md. Automated re-fetch of mayoclinic.org and cdc.gov from this build machine returns HTTP 403 (bot protection), so the numbers could not be re-verified by script — they are kept here only where they agree with a machine-verified source above."
    },
    {
      "source": "PMC6456186 — systematic review of normal body temperature values (9,227 measurements)",
      "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6456186/",
      "checkedOn": "2026-08-27",
      "note": "Re-fetched 2026-08-27 (HTTP 200). Used to cross-check the per-site averages published in StatPearls NBK562334; the two agree."
    },
    {
      "source": "Field notes on scope",
      "url": "https://ctofconverter.com/data-api",
      "checkedOn": "2026-08-27",
      "note": "Rows carry a \"setting\" value (home | hospital | reference | device) and an \"audience\" value (any | adult | child | infant | neonate). The lookup endpoint applies only home rows unless you pass ?setting=all, and ?person= narrows by age group, so a home reader is never shown an inpatient escalation threshold or another age group's cut-off."
    }
  ],
  "columns": [
    {
      "key": "id",
      "label": "id",
      "type": "string"
    },
    {
      "key": "topic",
      "label": "Topic",
      "type": "string"
    },
    {
      "key": "applies_to",
      "label": "Applies to",
      "type": "string"
    },
    {
      "key": "audience",
      "label": "Audience",
      "type": "string",
      "note": "any | adult | child | infant | neonate — pass ?person= to filter"
    },
    {
      "key": "site",
      "label": "Measurement site",
      "type": "string"
    },
    {
      "key": "setting",
      "label": "Setting",
      "type": "string",
      "note": "home | hospital | reference | device — which context the row applies in"
    },
    {
      "key": "rule",
      "label": "Rule",
      "type": "string",
      "note": "range | gte | lte | offset | duration | sign"
    },
    {
      "key": "c_min",
      "label": "From",
      "unit": "°C",
      "type": "number"
    },
    {
      "key": "c_max",
      "label": "To",
      "unit": "°C",
      "type": "number"
    },
    {
      "key": "f_min",
      "label": "From",
      "unit": "°F",
      "type": "number"
    },
    {
      "key": "f_max",
      "label": "To",
      "unit": "°F",
      "type": "number"
    },
    {
      "key": "offset_c",
      "label": "Offset",
      "unit": "°C",
      "type": "number"
    },
    {
      "key": "duration_days",
      "label": "Duration",
      "unit": "days",
      "type": "number"
    },
    {
      "key": "label",
      "label": "Label",
      "type": "string"
    },
    {
      "key": "action",
      "label": "What it means / what to do",
      "type": "string"
    },
    {
      "key": "source",
      "label": "Source",
      "type": "string"
    },
    {
      "key": "source_url",
      "label": "Source URL",
      "type": "string"
    },
    {
      "key": "quote",
      "label": "Verbatim fragment",
      "type": "string"
    },
    {
      "key": "note",
      "label": "Note",
      "type": "string"
    },
    {
      "key": "checked_on",
      "label": "Checked on",
      "type": "string"
    }
  ],
  "rows": [
    {
      "id": "normal-range-general",
      "topic": "normal_range",
      "applies_to": "adults",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "range",
      "c_min": 36.5,
      "c_max": 37.5,
      "f_min": 97.7,
      "f_max": 99.5,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Normal range 36.5–37.5 °C (97.7–99.5 °F)",
      "action": "Within the range StatPearls gives for a normal value.",
      "source": "StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf) — Hypothermia",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545239/",
      "quote": "The normal value ranges from 36.5 °C to 37.5 °C.",
      "note": "°F values are the exact conversions; the source publishes °C only.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "normal-range-baby-nhs",
      "topic": "normal_range",
      "applies_to": "babies and children",
      "audience": "child",
      "site": "unspecified",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "exact",
      "c_min": 36.4,
      "c_max": 36.4,
      "f_min": 97.5,
      "f_max": 97.5,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "About 36.4 °C (97.5 °F)",
      "action": "NHS describes this as a normal temperature in babies and children; it can vary slightly.",
      "source": "NHS — How to take your baby's temperature",
      "source_url": "https://www.nhs.uk/baby/health/how-to-take-your-babys-temperature/",
      "quote": "A normal temperature in babies and children is about 36.4C, but this can vary slightly.",
      "note": "NHS does not publish a normal range for adults; it only says normal temperature differs per person and changes during the day.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "mean-reading-oral",
      "topic": "mean_by_site",
      "applies_to": "adults (9,227 measurements)",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "oral",
      "setting": "reference",
      "rule": "range",
      "c_min": 35.73,
      "c_max": 37.41,
      "f_min": 96.31,
      "f_max": 99.34,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Mean 36.57 °C; mean ± 2 SD 35.73–37.41 °C",
      "action": "Use the interval, not 37.0, when judging whether a single oral reading is unusual.",
      "source": "StatPearls — Physiology, Fever (cross-checked against PMC6456186)",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562334/",
      "quote": "oral is 36.57 degrees C (97.83 degrees F)",
      "note": "c_min/c_max are mean ± 2 SD from the underlying review; the mean is in the label.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "mean-reading-rectal",
      "topic": "mean_by_site",
      "applies_to": "adults (9,227 measurements)",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "rectal",
      "setting": "reference",
      "rule": "range",
      "c_min": 36.32,
      "c_max": 37.76,
      "f_min": 97.38,
      "f_max": 99.97,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Mean 37.04 °C; mean ± 2 SD 36.32–37.76 °C",
      "action": "Rectal readings run higher than oral ones; do not apply an oral threshold to them.",
      "source": "PMC6456186 — systematic review of normal body temperature",
      "source_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6456186/",
      "quote": "rectal mean 37.04 °C",
      "note": "",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "mean-reading-tympanic",
      "topic": "mean_by_site",
      "applies_to": "adults (9,227 measurements)",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "ear (tympanic)",
      "setting": "reference",
      "rule": "range",
      "c_min": 35.76,
      "c_max": 37.52,
      "f_min": 96.37,
      "f_max": 99.54,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Mean 36.64 °C; mean ± 2 SD 35.76–37.52 °C",
      "action": "Measured mean is close to the oral mean, despite the '+0.6 °C' rule of thumb in some handbooks.",
      "source": "PMC6456186 / StatPearls — Physiology, Fever",
      "source_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6456186/",
      "quote": "tympanic is 36.64 degrees C (97.95 degrees F)",
      "note": "Where the 'ear = oral + 0.6 °C' shortcut and the measured means disagree, this dataset keeps both and says so.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "mean-reading-axillary",
      "topic": "mean_by_site",
      "applies_to": "adults (9,227 measurements)",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "axillary (armpit)",
      "setting": "reference",
      "rule": "range",
      "c_min": 35.01,
      "c_max": 36.93,
      "f_min": 95.02,
      "f_max": 98.47,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Mean 35.97 °C; mean ± 2 SD 35.01–36.93 °C",
      "action": "A healthy adult armpit reading can legitimately be below 36 °C — so 'under 36' is not hypothermia.",
      "source": "StatPearls — Physiology, Fever (cross-checked against PMC6456186)",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562334/",
      "quote": "The average axillary temperature reading is 35.97 degrees C (96.75 degrees F)",
      "note": "This row is the reason the dataset does not define a 36 °C hypothermia line.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "offset-rectal-vs-oral",
      "topic": "measurement_offset",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "rectal vs oral",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "offset",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": 0.6,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "+0.6 °C (1.0 °F) vs oral",
      "action": "Add roughly 0.6 °C to an oral fever threshold when reading rectally.",
      "source": "Merck Manual, Professional Version — Fever",
      "source_url": "https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/biology-of-infectious-disease/fever",
      "quote": "Rectal and tympanic membrane temperatures are about 0.6 °C higher than oral temperatures, whereas skin temperatures are about 0.6 °C lower.",
      "note": "Merck gives one number (0.6 °C), not a 0.3–0.6 °C range; some patient leaflets give the range.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "offset-tympanic-vs-oral",
      "topic": "measurement_offset",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "ear (tympanic) vs oral",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "offset",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": 0.6,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "+0.6 °C (1.0 °F) vs oral",
      "action": "Treat an ear reading as about 0.6 °C above an oral one, but expect wider scatter.",
      "source": "Merck Manual, Professional Version — Fever",
      "source_url": "https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/biology-of-infectious-disease/fever",
      "quote": "Rectal and tympanic membrane temperatures are about 0.6 °C higher than oral temperatures",
      "note": "The measured means in this dataset put ear and oral within 0.1 °C of each other — the two statements come from different kinds of source.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "offset-skin-vs-oral",
      "topic": "measurement_offset",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "skin / forehead vs oral",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "offset",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": -0.6,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "−0.6 °C (1.0 °F) vs oral",
      "action": "Forehead and skin readings run low; Merck calls crystal/skin monitoring insensitive and not recommended for this purpose.",
      "source": "Merck Manual, Professional Version — Fever",
      "source_url": "https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/biology-of-infectious-disease/fever",
      "quote": "whereas skin temperatures are about 0.6 °C lower",
      "note": "NHS additionally warns that some infrared forehead devices do not meet UK regulations.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "fever-nhs-adult",
      "topic": "fever_definition",
      "applies_to": "adults",
      "audience": "adult",
      "site": "unspecified",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "gte",
      "c_min": 38,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": 100.4,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "38.0 °C (100.4 °F) or higher = fever",
      "action": "The public-health line most UK services use when telling you to act.",
      "source": "NHS — Fever in adults",
      "source_url": "https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-adults/",
      "quote": "A high temperature is usually considered to be 38C or above. This is sometimes called a fever.",
      "note": "NHS publishes °C only; 100.4 °F is the exact conversion.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "fever-statpearls-low-grade",
      "topic": "fever_band",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "range",
      "c_min": 37.3,
      "c_max": 38,
      "f_min": 99.1,
      "f_max": 100.4,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Low-grade 37.3–38.0 °C (99.1–100.4 °F)",
      "action": "Clinically a fever band; not a 'call a doctor' threshold on its own.",
      "source": "StatPearls — Physiology, Fever",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562334/",
      "quote": "Low-grade: 37.3 to 38.0 C (99.1 to 100.4 F)",
      "note": "Published fever bands are not the same cut-offs as the NHS/Mayo advice lines; both are in this dataset, each labelled.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "fever-statpearls-moderate",
      "topic": "fever_band",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "range",
      "c_min": 38.1,
      "c_max": 39,
      "f_min": 100.6,
      "f_max": 102.2,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Moderate-grade 38.1–39.0 °C (100.6–102.2 °F)",
      "action": "Usually tolerated by a healthy adult; rest and fluids, watch the trend.",
      "source": "StatPearls — Physiology, Fever",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562334/",
      "quote": "Moderate-grade: 38.1 to 39.0 C (100.6 to 102.2 F)",
      "note": "",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "fever-statpearls-high",
      "topic": "fever_band",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "range",
      "c_min": 39.1,
      "c_max": 41,
      "f_min": 102.4,
      "f_max": 105.8,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "High-grade 39.1–41.0 °C (102.4–105.8 °F)",
      "action": "High-grade band in the clinical literature.",
      "source": "StatPearls — Physiology, Fever",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562334/",
      "quote": "High-grade: 39.1 to 41 C (102.4 to 105.8 F)",
      "note": "",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "fever-statpearls-hyperthermia",
      "topic": "danger_threshold",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "gte",
      "c_min": 41,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": 105.8,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Above 41.0 °C (105.8 °F)",
      "action": "StatPearls: hyperthermia/hyperpyrexia band — uncontrolled rise above the set-point; emergency.",
      "source": "StatPearls — Physiology, Fever",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562334/",
      "quote": "Hyperthermia: Greater than 41 C (105.8 F)",
      "note": "Cleveland Clinic defines hyperpyrexia as above 106.7 °F (41.5 °C); the two cut-offs differ and both exist in the literature.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "danger-merck-red-flags",
      "topic": "danger_threshold",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "gte",
      "c_min": 40,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": 104,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Above 40.0 °C (104.0 °F) — or below 35.0 °C (95.0 °F)",
      "action": "Merck lists this as a red flag requiring immediate assessment.",
      "source": "Merck Manual, Professional Version — Fever",
      "source_url": "https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/biology-of-infectious-disease/fever",
      "quote": "Temperature > 40° C or < 35° C",
      "note": "",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "seekcare-infant-under-3-months",
      "topic": "seek_care",
      "applies_to": "infants under 3 months",
      "audience": "infant",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "gte",
      "c_min": 38,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": 100.4,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "38.0 °C (100.4 °F) or higher → seek care immediately",
      "action": "Do not wait for the fever to come down on your own; contact emergency services / go to A&E or the ER.",
      "source": "NHS — Fever in children",
      "source_url": "https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/",
      "quote": "is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher",
      "note": "AAP, Mayo Clinic and CDC publish the same 38.0 °C / 100.4 °F line for this age group; only the contact route differs (111 vs paediatrician vs ER).",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "seekcare-infant-3-to-6-months",
      "topic": "seek_care",
      "applies_to": "infants 3 to 6 months",
      "audience": "infant",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "gte",
      "c_min": 39,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": 102.2,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "39.0 °C (102.2 °F) or higher → contact a clinician the same day",
      "action": "NHS uses the 39 °C line specifically for the 3–6 month age band.",
      "source": "NHS — Fever in children",
      "source_url": "https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/",
      "quote": "is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher",
      "note": "There is no single published 'children over 39 °C' rule: NHS ties 39 °C to 3–6 months, AAP uses 40 °C (104 °F), Mayo uses 38.9 °C (102 °F) rectal for 3–6 months.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "seekcare-adult-39-4",
      "topic": "seek_care",
      "applies_to": "adults",
      "audience": "adult",
      "site": "oral",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "gte",
      "c_min": 39.4,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": 103,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "39.4 °C (103 °F) or higher → call your health care provider",
      "action": "Mayo's adult number. NHS gives no adult temperature cut-off at all.",
      "source": "Mayo Clinic — Fever (symptoms and when to see a doctor)",
      "source_url": "https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759",
      "quote": "Call your health care provider if your temperature is 103 F (39.4 C) or higher.",
      "note": "US-style triage line; the page could not be re-fetched by script (403) — see provenance.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "seekcare-adult-duration",
      "topic": "seek_care",
      "applies_to": "adults",
      "audience": "adult",
      "site": "any",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "duration",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": 3,
      "label": "Fever lasting more than 3 days → see a clinician",
      "action": "Duration triggers care independently of the number on the thermometer.",
      "source": "Mayo Clinic — First aid: fever",
      "source_url": "https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-fever/basics/art-20056685",
      "quote": "stays at 103 F (39.4 C) or higher or lasts longer than three days",
      "note": "Other published durations: NHS (children) 5 days; Merck 24–48 h for a phone call and 3–4 days for a visit. No single duration is universally agreed.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "seekcare-child-duration",
      "topic": "seek_care",
      "applies_to": "children",
      "audience": "child",
      "site": "any",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "duration",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": 5,
      "label": "Fever lasting 5 days or more → see a clinician",
      "action": "NHS threshold for children; also contact NHS 111 if the child is getting worse or you are worried.",
      "source": "NHS — Fever in children",
      "source_url": "https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/",
      "quote": "lasted for 5 days or more",
      "note": "AAP uses more than 24 h under 2 years and more than 72 h at 2 years and over; Mayo uses 3 days.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "hypothermia-under-35",
      "topic": "hypothermia",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "lte",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": 35,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": 95,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Below 35.0 °C (95.0 °F) → hypothermia, medical emergency",
      "action": "Call emergency services. Handle the person gently and keep them warm while help is on the way.",
      "source": "StatPearls — Hypothermia; NHS — Hypothermia; CDC — Winter weather",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545239/",
      "quote": "Hypothermia is defined as a decrease in body temperature below 35 °C.",
      "note": "NHS: 'a dangerous drop in body temperature below 35C … It's a medical emergency'. CDC and Mayo use the same 95 °F / 35 °C line.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "hypothermia-mild",
      "topic": "hypothermia_stage",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "hospital",
      "rule": "range",
      "c_min": 32,
      "c_max": 35,
      "f_min": 90,
      "f_max": 95,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Mild hypothermia 32.0–35.0 °C (90–95 °F)",
      "action": "Shivering, cognitive impairment; passive external rewarming is often sufficient in alert, stable patients.",
      "source": "StatPearls — Hypothermia",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545239/",
      "quote": "Patients with mild hypothermia have a core body temperature ranging from 32 to 35 °C (90 to 95 °F).",
      "note": "Clinical staging for hospital care — not a home-triage tool.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "hypothermia-moderate",
      "topic": "hypothermia_stage",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "hospital",
      "rule": "range",
      "c_min": 28,
      "c_max": 32,
      "f_min": 82,
      "f_max": 90,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Moderate hypothermia 28.0–32.0 °C (82–90 °F)",
      "action": "Cognitive decline and lethargy; active rewarming under medical care.",
      "source": "StatPearls — Hypothermia",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545239/",
      "quote": "Patients with moderate hypothermia have a core body temperature of 28 to 32 °C (82-90 °F).",
      "note": "",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "hypothermia-severe",
      "topic": "hypothermia_stage",
      "applies_to": "anyone",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "hospital",
      "rule": "lte",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": 28,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": 82,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Severe hypothermia below 28.0 °C (82.0 °F)",
      "action": "Risk of ventricular arrhythmias; hospital-level rewarming (up to ECMO / bypass).",
      "source": "StatPearls — Hypothermia",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545239/",
      "quote": "Individuals with severe hypothermia have a core body temperature of less than 28 °C (82 °F).",
      "note": "",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "below-normal-35-to-36",
      "topic": "watch_band",
      "applies_to": "adults at home",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "axillary or oral",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "range",
      "c_min": 35,
      "c_max": 36.5,
      "f_min": 95,
      "f_max": 97.7,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "35.0–36.5 °C (95.0–97.7 °F) → below the usual range, not hypothermia",
      "action": "Recheck after 10 minutes, keep warm, and seek care if there are symptoms or the reading keeps falling.",
      "source": "Derived: StatPearls hypothermia definition + measured axillary means",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6456186/",
      "quote": "The average axillary temperature reading is 35.97 degrees C",
      "note": "No public-health source defines hypothermia at 36 °C, and the measured axillary mean in healthy adults is 35.97 °C — a 35.9 °C armpit reading is not a diagnosis.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "perioperative-low-36",
      "topic": "clinical_definition",
      "applies_to": "surgical patients",
      "audience": "adult",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "hospital",
      "rule": "lte",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": 36,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": 96.8,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Perioperative: core temperature below 36.0 °C is 'low' and needs active management",
      "action": "This is a hospital quality threshold, not a layperson's hypothermia threshold.",
      "source": "NICE CG65 — Hypothermia: prevention and management in adults having surgery",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554181/",
      "quote": "core temperature below 36.0°C",
      "note": "Included because this is where the widely-copied '36 °C = hypothermia' claim seems to come from.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "paediatric-low-36",
      "topic": "clinical_definition",
      "applies_to": "hospitalised children",
      "audience": "child",
      "site": "core",
      "setting": "hospital",
      "rule": "lte",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": 36,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": 96.8,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Paediatric inpatient: below 36.0 °C is treated as low temperature; neonates below 36.5 °C",
      "action": "Hospital escalation thresholds for children under inpatient care.",
      "source": "Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne — Temperature management",
      "source_url": "https://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/hospital_clinical_guideline_index/Temperature_management/",
      "quote": "paediatric low temperature (or hypothermia) <36 °C … neonates <36.5 °C",
      "note": "Some NHS 111 regional triage pages likewise list 'temperature below 36 °C' as a sign to assess — the number is a care trigger in those settings, still not the definition.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "neonate-cold-stress",
      "topic": "danger_threshold",
      "applies_to": "newborns",
      "audience": "neonate",
      "site": "skin",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "lte",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": 36.5,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": 97.7,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Newborn below 36.5 °C (97.7 °F) → warm and get help",
      "action": "Neonates are managed far more strictly than older children for cold readings.",
      "source": "Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne — Temperature management",
      "source_url": "https://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/hospital_clinical_guideline_index/Temperature_management/",
      "quote": "neonates <36.5 °C",
      "note": "This is the one place where a threshold above 35 °C is genuinely the right safety line.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "sign-rash-non-blanching",
      "topic": "emergency_sign",
      "applies_to": "children and adults",
      "audience": "child",
      "site": "any",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "sign",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Rash that does not fade under a glass",
      "action": "Emergency — call 999 / go to A&E, do not wait for the temperature to change.",
      "source": "NHS — Fever in children",
      "source_url": "https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/",
      "quote": "rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it",
      "note": "Emergency signs are listed without a temperature because no temperature is required to act.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "sign-stiff-neck",
      "topic": "emergency_sign",
      "applies_to": "children and adults",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "any",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "sign",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Stiff neck, dislike of bright light, severe headache",
      "action": "Emergency — these are the meningeal signs both NHS and Mayo list alongside fever.",
      "source": "NHS — Fever in children; Mayo Clinic — Fever symptoms",
      "source_url": "https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/",
      "quote": "stiff neck and pain when you bend your head forward",
      "note": "Quote is from Mayo's adult list; NHS lists 'stiff neck' and 'bothered by light' for children.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "sign-first-seizure",
      "topic": "emergency_sign",
      "applies_to": "children",
      "audience": "child",
      "site": "any",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "sign",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "A fit (febrile seizure) for the first time, or a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes",
      "action": "Emergency. NHS lists a first fit as a 999/A&E sign; Mayo says call 911 if a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or recovery is not quick.",
      "source": "NHS — Fever in children; Mayo Clinic — First aid: fever",
      "source_url": "https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/",
      "quote": "having a fit (febrile seizure) for the first time",
      "note": "",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "sign-colour-and-drowsiness",
      "topic": "emergency_sign",
      "applies_to": "children",
      "audience": "child",
      "site": "any",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "sign",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Blue / grey / pale / blotchy skin, cold hands and feet, drowsy and hard to wake",
      "action": "Emergency — circulatory and consciousness signs outrank the thermometer reading.",
      "source": "NHS — Fever in children",
      "source_url": "https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/",
      "quote": "skin colour changes (blue/grey/pale/blotchy)",
      "note": "NHS also lists unusually cold hands and feet and being extremely agitated or confused in the same block.",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "sign-breathing",
      "topic": "emergency_sign",
      "applies_to": "children and adults",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "any",
      "setting": "home",
      "rule": "sign",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": null,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": null,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Difficulty breathing, breathlessness, breathing very fast, or chest pain",
      "action": "Emergency.",
      "source": "NHS — Fever in children; Mayo Clinic — Fever symptoms",
      "source_url": "https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/",
      "quote": "difficulty breathing / breathlessness / breathing very fast",
      "note": "",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    },
    {
      "id": "thermometer-reset-below-35",
      "topic": "instrumentation",
      "applies_to": "digital thermometers",
      "audience": "any",
      "site": "device",
      "setting": "device",
      "rule": "lte",
      "c_min": null,
      "c_max": 35,
      "f_min": null,
      "f_max": 95,
      "offset_c": null,
      "duration_days": null,
      "label": "Digital thermometer should reset below 35 °C (95 °F) before each reading",
      "action": "Practical check that the device can actually read the range that matters.",
      "source": "StatPearls — Physiology, Fever",
      "source_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562334/",
      "quote": "Before each new measurement with a digital thermometer, the device should be reset to below 35 C (95 F).",
      "note": "",
      "checked_on": "2026-08-27"
    }
  ],
  "notes": [
    "Two families of numbers are mixed in everyday life and kept separate here: clinical fever bands (StatPearls: 37.3 / 38.1 / 39.1 / 41 °C) and public-health advice lines (NHS 38 °C, Mayo 39.4 °C). Neither is wrong; they answer different questions.",
    "Hypothermia is defined below 35.0 °C (95.0 °F) by NHS, CDC, Mayo and StatPearls. The widely-copied 'below 36 °C' line comes from hospital settings (NICE perioperative, paediatric inpatient escalation), not from the definition.",
    "Site offsets are approximations from Merck (±0.6 °C). Where a source publishes a per-site fever threshold instead (Mayo: axillary 37.2 °C / 99 °F), the threshold is preferable to the offset.",
    "No source in this dataset publishes a four-level 'slightly elevated / low-grade / moderate / high' chart with the boundaries usually seen on conversion websites. Those boundaries are editorial, so they are not in this file.",
    "Fever thresholds differ by measurement site. Applying the 38.0 °C oral line to an axillary reading over-reads; applying it to a rectal reading under-reads by roughly 0.6 °C."
  ],
  "disclaimer": "Reference data transcribed from published sources on 2026-08-27. Not medical advice and not a diagnosis. Care-seeking rules differ by country, by age and by the person's underlying health; when in doubt, contact a clinician or emergency services. If any number here matters to a decision, open the source URL and read it yourself."
}