Medical science has long accepted that 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is the average body temperature for human beings. This standard is often used to determine if a patient’s body temperature is too high or too low. But not everyone’s body temperature is the same. This can cause problems when physicians are trying to treat their patients. Boston Childrens Hospital is hoping to gain some real insight into the world’s average body temperatures with its new Feverprints mobile app.
Feverprints is pretty straightforward. Upon installation and acceptance of the app’s terms and conditions, the app will then send a notification every time it wants you to take your temperature. This can be done the old-fashioned way with a standard thermometer or with a wireless smart thermometer paired with the user’s mobile device. Feverprints then collects individual users’ information and anonymously aggregates it along with other Feverprints reporters. Along with body temperature, the Feverprints app may also collect data on your movement, physical condition, and medication usage, depending on how much you’d like to share with the app.
Feverprints is currently available as a free download from the iOS App Store. There’s no mention of porting the app to other platforms at this time.