ABSTRACT
C) orally and approximately 1
°
F (0.6
°
C) higher rectally. Body temperature, however, can vary from individual to individual, by age, time of day, physical exertion, etc. Thus, newborns and the elderly have temperatures averaging 1
°
C higher. Cyclic changes in body temperature occur with decreases of 0.5
°
C early in the morning (approximately 1:00 to 2:00 a.m.) and slight elevations later in the morning and afternoon. Hard exercise can raise the rectal temperature up to 104
°
F.
