When someone is feeling ill, one of the first things we do before administering any form of treatment is take the temperature. A raised temperature is a sign of some type infection present in the body. They body’s natural way of fighting infection is with t fever. In some cases, it is not necessary to use fever-reducing medications until the fever reaches 101.8. Always check with your medical provider, but sometimes it is a good idea to let the body fight off the infection on it’s own.
When taking the body’s temperature there are many different types of thermometer available. They type of thermometer and it’s use varies. Most of them are equally effective, and the choice is based solely on preference and the patient.
Electronic or digital thermometers are plastic and shaped somewhat like a pencil, with window at one end, which displays the digital readout, and the temperature probe at the other end. These thermometers are used in the mouth, rectum, or armpit, but not interchangeably. They are very easy to read and are usually very accurate.
Ear thermometers are also plastic and come in various shapes, with a cone on one end. The small cone-shaped end of the thermometer is placed in the ear, and body temperature is then shown on a digital display. Depending on the model, the results appear within 4-30 seconds. These are a favorite among most children, unless they are suffering with an earache.
* Forehead thermometers use the temperature of the skin to determine body’s temperature. There are several forms of forehead thermometer. Some are adhesive tapes that change color, while other types are thin pieces of plastic with numbers on them. They are used by placing them against the forehead, and the degree of the temperature makes the numbers change, or colors change or in some cases they will light up. These thermometers are not as accurate as electronic/digital or ear thermometers.
Disposable thermometers are popular because they do not harbor any germs which are redistributed like others when they are reused. They are made up of thin flat plastic with colored dots and temperature markings on one end. The different shades of the dots reflect the body’s temperature. Disposable thermometers can be orally or rectally. There is a patch form, which can be used on babies’ skin to measure temperature continuously for 48 hours. These thermometers are considered safe and accurate within 0.2°F (0.1°C). They do not contain glass, latex, or mercury therefore they are a choice among pediatricians and parents alike. You can reuse the thermometer during an illness and then throw it away.
Pacifier thermometers look like a regular pacifier, however they have a digital screen on the end, which will show the baby’s temperature. They are used by placing it in the baby’s mouth, just as any other pacifier. They can take longer to develop a reading, but are more comfortable for young babies. They are not as accurate as some other types, but you can get a rough idea if the child is sick and needs medical attention.
Old-fashioned glass thermometers containing mercury are no longer recommended. If you still have a glass thermometer it’s time to upgrade. You should also contact your local health department for instructions on how to dispose of of the old one safely. If you ever break a glass thermometer, it is important that you call your local poison control center immediately for instructions on how to safely handle the mercury