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Celsius (°C) – Temperature Scale in Medicine

Celsius (°C) is a widely used temperature scale employed in medicine to measure body temperature. The normal human body temperature ranges from 36.5 °C to 37.5 °C.

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Things worth knowing about "Celsius"

Celsius (°C) is a widely used temperature scale employed in medicine to measure body temperature. The normal human body temperature ranges from 36.5 °C to 37.5 °C.

What is Celsius?

Celsius (unit symbol: °C) is a temperature scale named after Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius (1701–1744). It is the most widely used temperature scale in science, medicine, and everyday life. The freezing point of water is defined as 0 °C and the boiling point as 100 °C, both at standard atmospheric pressure (1013.25 hPa).

Importance in Medicine

In medicine, the Celsius scale is used to measure body temperature, which is a key parameter for assessing a person's health status.

Normal body temperature: 36.5 °C to 37.5 °C (measured rectally)
Low-grade fever: 37.5 °C to 38.0 °C
Fever: 38.0 °C and above (rectal)
High fever: 39.0 °C and above
Hyperthermia / life-threatening: 40.0 °C and above
Hypothermia (low body temperature): below 35.0 °C

Measurement Methods

Body temperature can be measured at different body sites. Normal values may vary slightly depending on the method used:

Rectal: considered the most accurate method; normal range approx. 36.5–37.5 °C
Oral: approx. 0.3–0.5 °C lower than rectal
Axillary (underarm): approx. 0.5–1.0 °C lower than rectal
Tympanic (ear): fast measurement, comparable to rectal method
Forehead (infrared): convenient but less precise

Celsius Compared to Other Temperature Scales

There are other temperature scales used in specific contexts alongside Celsius:

Kelvin (K): the SI unit of temperature; 0 K corresponds to absolute zero (−273.15 °C). Used primarily in scientific contexts.
Fahrenheit (°F): used in the United States and a few other countries. Conversion: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9

Clinical Relevance

Accurate measurement of body temperature in Celsius is essential in clinical practice. Fever is a common sign of infection or inflammation and provides physicians with important diagnostic information. Similarly, hypothermia – an abnormally low body temperature – can indicate life-threatening conditions and requires immediate medical attention.

The Celsius scale also plays a critical role in the storage of medications, vaccines, and blood products. Many pharmaceuticals must be stored at defined temperatures (e.g., 2–8 °C in a refrigerator) to maintain their efficacy.

References

World Health Organization (WHO): Temperature monitoring and management in health care settings. WHO Guidelines, Geneva.
Longo, D. L. et al.: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 21st Edition. McGraw-Hill, New York 2022.
Mackowiak, P. A., Wasserman, S. S., Levine, M. M.: A critical appraisal of 98.6°F, the upper limit of the normal body temperature. JAMA, 268(12):1578–1580, 1992.

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