Why do doctors take your temperature? The body temperature of a human being is an indication of his physical condition. An abnormally high or low temperature is generally a sign that something is wrong. In case of human beings, the normal temperature is usually given as 36.9? C (98.4?F), but it varies throughout the day. A raised temperature is often the sign of bacterial or virus infection. It may be owing to a heatstroke or a brain injury or disease or even sudden shock.