Hi All - SO GLAD to find this board.  I have been having hot flashes but I am not sure if it is a virus as well?  This is my question.  When you have a hot flash does it reflect in your temperature (i.e. if you take your temperature at the time, will it be escalated?).I have fibromyalgia and M.E. (more commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and there is an ongoing 'viral' component to this illness for me.  Now, I can't tell if it is a hot flash or the virus coming on.Also, lately have been getting 'night sweats' - is this normal?The hard thing for me is I have had my uterus and cervix removed about 7 years ago, but left the ovaries in; so I have no 'periods' by which to gauge anything! I am a wreck basically.But basically, the question is 'DO HOT FLASHES RAISE OUR BODY TEMPERATURE?'Thanks so much for all replies and good to be here:)Love JJ

Hi jesse...Yes, hot flashes raise your body temp...And yes, night sweats are very normal..very unconfortable but normal....You are more than likely headed down the meno road...It gets pretty bumpy sometimes, but just remember, you are not alone....Take Care,Sweetface

Hope I'm doing this right - trying to respond to Sweetface.  Just wanted to thank you for this information.  Also, how LLLOONNNGGGG do the hot flashes last (not in months/years, but at the time we actually are having them).  I have found mine can be as short as a minute or two, or as long as a few hours it seems.  Yesterday when I woke up my face was all hot and flushed and I thought for sure I had a 'fever' - took my temp and I did have a low grade fever.  Hours later it was  'gone'.  Also, I normally have a 'low body temperature' and feel  the thyroid got 'out of whack' when menopause entered the picture.  Could this be the case?  And how long do hot flashes last for most people? (duh!) - LOL!

Hi Jesse...when I have hot flashes, they will usually last anywhere from 15 seconds to a minute....I've never had them last like yours do...Have you talked to your Dr. about this ?...It could very well be your thyroid...I really can't answer your question about how long do hot flashes last for most people....All that I know is hot flashes lasting anywhere from a minute to two minutes is normal, according to my Dr...But really if I were you I would have my Dr. test my thyroid just to make sure, and it would also put you at ease too...Take Care,Sweetface

Jessie...  I have had hot flashes last from a few seconds to several minutes, and I think alot of literature on it states that hot flashes can last several minutes...maybe like 30 minutes, but I have never heard of any lasting for hours, either.