What does a temperature of 100.4°F typically indicate?

A temperature of 100.4°F is generally recognized as a low-grade fever. Normal body temperature typically ranges from about 97°F to 98.6°F, with some variability depending on the individual and the time of day. When body temperature exceeds the normal range, it often indicates that the body is responding to an underlying condition, such as an infection or illness, as part of the immune response. A fever can be part of the body’s defense mechanism, signaling that the immune system is working to fight off pathogens.

In the context of the other choices, hypothermia would refer to significantly lower body temperatures, which is not the case here. Normal body temperature is not represented by 100.4°F, as it implies a deviation from the typical range. Similarly, while a cold can lead to an increase in temperature, it does not specifically indicate the presence of a fever on its own. Therefore, a temperature of 100.4°F is a clear indicator of a fever.