Do You Know Why Most Thermometers Only Go Up to 107

Digital thermometer

Why should I take my temperature?

Checking your body's temperature with a thermometer is an easy way to see if a fever is present. A fever, which is a rise in the torso'south temperature, is usually acquired by an infection. Though fevers can be uncomfortable, they are a sign that the body is fighting off infection.

There are many dissimilar types of thermometers you can use to mensurate temperature. When using any kind of thermometer, make sure you read and follow the instructions that come with the thermometer. If your thermometer uses batteries, check them. You might detect that weak batteries give inconsistent readings.

What is a normal body temperature?

Normal body temperature is about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or 37 degrees Celsius (°C). Normal temperature oft varies from 1° to 2°F (½° to 1°C). A normal temperature is ordinarily lower in the morning and increases during the twenty-four hours. It reaches its high in the late afternoon or evening.

What temperature is considered a fever?

In adults, a fever is considered to be a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or above. Y'all can treat this at habitation with a fever reducer medication and fluids to make yourself more comfortable, or let it run its course. But if it reaches 102°F (38.8°C) or college and domicile treatment doesn't lower it, call your healthcare provider.

What types of thermometer should I use to take a temperature?

Digital thermometer

A digital thermometer is the most accurate and quickest way to take a temperature. Digital thermometers are available in most drug stores and supermarket pharmacies. Depending on where you lot shop, a digital thermometer tin can cost from $half-dozen to $xx. Exist sure to follow packet instructions while using any thermometer.

Digital thermometer

How to use a digital thermometer?

A digital thermometer can be used iii different ways. These include:

• Oral: For this method, the thermometer is placed nether the natural language. This method is used for adults and children iv and over who are able to concord thermometer in mouth.
• Rectal: For this method, the thermometer is inserted gently into the rectum. This is more often than not done in babies but can used in children upwardly to 3 years of age. You lot tin accept rectal temperatures in children older than three years, only it might exist difficult to keep them equally yet every bit they need to stay.
• Axillary: For this method, the thermometer is placed in the armpit for young children or adults whose temperature can't safely be done orally. This method is not as authentic every bit oral or rectal just can be used as a quick first cheque. You lot can follow this with an oral or rectal reading.

Other types of thermometers (immature children and adults):

Tympanic (ear): This type of thermometer measures the temperature inside of the ear past reading the infrared heat there. For best results, make sure to follow the instructions on the device nigh placing the tip correctly. For older babies and children, ear thermometers can exist quicker and easier to use. However, they are not recommended if your infant is 3 months former or younger. They should not be used if your child has too much earwax, or if they take an earache.

Ear (tympanic) thermometer

Temporal artery (forehead): Forehead thermometers are as well used to mensurate temperature, merely may not exist as reliable equally the digital thermometers and are usually more expensive. They are placed on the temporal avenue of the forehead and measure the infrared estrus that comes off of the caput.

Forehead (temporal avenue) thermometer

What types of thermometers aren't recommended?

Some thermometers aren't recommended due to their inaccuracy.

• Plastic strip thermometers only measure the skin temperature.
• Pacifier thermometers are not precise and are difficult to utilize correctly because they have to stay in the child's rima oris for long enough to record a temperature.
• Smartphone app thermometers.

Is my old mercury drinking glass thermometer okay to apply?

No, you should non utilize your quondam glass thermometer that contains mercury. These types of thermometers were institute in nigh every business firm and infirmary at once earlier digital thermometers were available. The mercury thermometers were difficult to read and and then did not always provide accurate information.

The primary reason they are not longer recommended is that mercury can poison you. This can happen when the glass breaks and mercury is released. If you do however take ane of these thermometers, you should contact your local waste department and find how to dispose of chancy waste properly.

There are glass thermometers available that practise not use mercury, simply about people prefer the digital thermometers that do non shatter.

How exercise I take a temperature with a thermometer?

Using a digital oral thermometer

1. Launder your hands with soap and warm water.
2. Utilise a clean thermometer, one that has been washed in common cold water, cleaned with rubbing booze, and so rinsed to remove the booze.
3. Do not consume or drink anything for at least five minutes before you take your temperature because the temperature of the food or drinkable could make the reading inaccurate. You should keep your mouth closed during this time.
4. Place the thermometer tip under the tongue.
5. Hold the thermometer in the same spot for about xl seconds.
6. Readings will continue to increase and the F (or C) symbol will flash during measurement.
7. Usually, the thermometer will make a beeping noise when the final reading is done (unremarkably about xxx seconds). If you are keeping track, tape the temperature and the time.
8. Rinse thermometer in cold water, clean it with alcohol and rinse again.

Using a digital rectal thermometer (for babies and children upwards to 3 years erstwhile)

Rectal thermometer

1. Launder the rectal thermometer with soap and warm water. Don't use an oral thermometer.
2. Put a small amount of lubricant (petroleum jelly or Vaseline®) on the sensor (tip) of the thermometer.
3. Place your child belly downwards on your lap or table, with one palm on their dorsum. Or place them face-up, with legs bent toward their chest and concur the back of their thighs with i hand. Put a diaper or fabric under your child every bit he or she may poop immediately after removal of the thermometer.
4. Using your other hand, gently insert the thermometer into the anus until the tip is completely inside the rectum. DO NOT force information technology if you feel resistance.
5. Keep the thermometer steady with your hand until y'all hear the beep (around 30 seconds).
6. Gently remove. Record temperature and fourth dimension.
7. Clean the thermometer thoroughly with soap and water. Y'all may desire to clean information technology off again with alcohol and then rinse it again.

Using a digital axillary (same as oral) thermometer

1. Remove the kid'southward shirt and identify the thermometer tip into your child'south armpit. Make sure your child'south armpit is dry to become the near authentic reading.
2. Keep the axillary thermometer in place past folding your child's arm across his or her chest.
3. The thermometer volition beep when reading is done (this method may take longer than 30 seconds).
4. Remove and record temperature and time.
5. Clean the thermometer with soap and water or with alcohol, e'er rinsing every bit a concluding step.

Should I add a degree to oral (under the tongue) and axillary (under the arm) readings?

Yeah, for the well-nigh accuracy. Rectal temperatures are considered nearly authentic indication of the body'southward temperature. Oral and axillary temperature readings are about ½° to 1°F (.three°C to .vi°C) below rectal. Add these numbers to oral and axillary temperature readings for the well-nigh accurate reading.

Using a tympanic thermometer (for adults and children over 2 years old)

1. Pull gently back on the top of the ear to open the ear canal.
2. Place the protective cover on the tip of the thermometer.
3. Gently insert the thermometer until the ear canal is fully sealed off.
4. Press and concur down the push button for one-2 seconds until you hear a beep (follow the manufacturer's instructions).
5. Remove the thermometer, discard the comprehend, and record temperature and time.

Using a temporal avenue thermometer

1. Plough the thermometer on.
2. Place the protective cap on the thermometer.
3. Sweep the thermometer gently beyond the forehead and then the infrared scanner can measure the temperature of the temporal artery.
4. Record the temperature and fourth dimension.
5. Remove the protective cover and dispose of information technology.

Notation: Some newer forehead thermometers do not require covers because the thermometer does not need to touch the forehead. These products are placed near the forehead and are able to take a reading.

How often should I take my temperature?

If you are feeling ill or if your child seems to be ill, it'southward likely that yous will reach for your thermometer. Oftentimes 1 of the first questions a health provider asks is if y'all have taken the temperature of the person who is ill. You lot may decide to take medicine to reduce the fever. If you exercise, there is unremarkably a menses of time on the instructions nearly when it is rubber to take the medicine again. (This is usually a period of virtually four to six hours.) Before taking another dose, check your temperature or your kid's to run across if medicine is actually needed.

Nonetheless, if the first temperature is very high, you might make up one's mind to recheck temperature on a more regular schedule, maybe once or twice an hour. Yous might decide to recheck temperatures when medicine doesn't seem to be working, such as when the illness is non getting improve, and you still take symptoms. Your healthcare provider might recommend times to take your temperature, like mornings and evenings. You should keep a record of these temperatures to be able to report back.

How should I clean and store my thermometer?

It is a good thought to keep the instructions that come with your thermometer so you tin can refer back to them for questions similar this. Make clean any thermometer before and after you utilise it. Y'all can employ soap and water or alcohol to clean the tips of digital thermometers. You should rinse afterwards with lukewarm water.

If you are using i thermometer as a rectal thermometer, make sure to clean it thoroughly and characterization it. Store it in a way that y'all tin tell immediately that it is the rectal and not the oral or axillary thermometer.

Check the directions, but ear and forehead tips may be swiped with alcohol. The bottom part, the handles, may exist cleaned with tougher disinfectants. Nonetheless, make sure you use water to wipe off the disinfectant so it does no damage to the handle or to your hands.

If your thermometer comes with a case to protect it, shop your thermometer in the case.

Keep your thermometer (or thermometers) in a dry place that is easy to find and that is non exposed to desperate changes in temperatures.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

If you have questions about how to take a temperature, telephone call your provider. They can requite you tips on what'south the best type of thermometer for your family and the best fashion to take your temperature or your kid'due south temperature. This is a good time to inquire things like how ofttimes yous should recheck temperatures or if you should exercise anything to try to reduce the fever.

Call your healthcare provider correct away if anyone in your household has a fever and any of the following:

• Astringent headache.
• Strong neck.
• Swelling of the throat.
• Defoliation.
• Any change that worries y'all.

Remember, you and your healthcare provider act together to keep yous and your family unit members good for you. They will be glad to answer questions virtually what thermometers are best, how they should be used and which numbers are important to continue runway of. While a fever may be scary, it's also trying to tell you something. Your provider is your partner in knowing what is existence said and how to answer.

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Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9959-thermometers-how-to-take-your-temperature

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