Revision 71457516 of "98.6" on enwiki

In America, '''98.6''' degrees [[Fahrenheit]] is widely believed to be the healthy core body temperature for an adult [[human]]. 

This belief is based upon one German study which found the [[mean]] body temperature of the study subjects, when [[rounding|rounded]] to two [[significant digit]]s, to be 37 degrees [[Celsius]]. This is 98.6 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale.

In reality, the expected normal core body temperature for an adult is expected to lie within a range of possible values. Although the range varies by source, one commonly cited normal range is 36.4 - 37.1 °C (97.6 - 98.8 °F).

Non-American cultures share America's fascination with precise figures. In Russia the figure 36.6 °C has achieved a similar mythic status. According to the Russian pharmaceutical chain named 36.6, "36.6 is the ideal body temperature in Centigrade for healthy adults and children."  36.6 °C equals 97.88 °F, which is still within the human norm for [[thermoregulation]].

==Pop culture==
*The band name [[98 Degrees]] was based on the average human body temperature.

*"'''98.6'''" is also the title of a [[1967]] hit single by "[[Keith (singer)|Keith]]" (also known as James Barry Keefer, now legally changed to Bazza Keefer).  The song relates the feeling of being in love to the feeling of good health and thus to the number 98.6.

==External links==
*[http://hypertextbook.com/facts/LenaWong.shtml Temperature of a Healthy Human (Body Temperature)]
*[http://www.keith986.com Keith's big hit]
*[http://www.pharmacychain366.com/company/  36.6 Pharmacy Chain]

[[Category:Famous numbers]]
[[Category:Humans]]


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