Fever is an increase in body temperature. Mild fever usually has benefits as a form of self-defense against infection. Many disease-causing microorganisms (pathogens) thrive in a low temperature range, therefore a low-grade fever will prevent pathogens from multiplying. However, some types of fever can be associated with connective tissue disease or a dangerous disease. A high fever (39.4 °C or more in adults) is potentially dangerous and should be monitored with a thermometer. There are many types and models of thermometers based on their use on different areas of the body. The choice of the most appropriate thermometer is usually determined by the age of the person with the fever – for example, some thermometers are better for small children. Once you have selected the most appropriate thermometer, using it is relatively easy.
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Part 1 of 2: Choosing the Most Appropriate Thermometer
Step 1. Take a rectal measurement of the body temperature of the newborn
The type of thermometer that is best or appropriate and the location of the body temperature measurement largely depends on age. For newborns up to about six months of age, it is recommended to use a regular digital thermometer to measure the temperature through the anus (anal) because it is considered the most accurate.
- Earwax, ear infections, and small, curved ear canals are barriers to the accuracy of an ear thermometer (also called a tympanic thermometer). Therefore, the tympanic thermometer is not the best type of thermometer to use for newborns.
- Several studies have shown that the temporal artery thermometer is also a good choice for newborns because of its accuracy and reproducibility (its ability to give the same results on repeated measurements). The temporal artery can be seen in the temple area of the head.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against using old-fashioned glass thermometers that contain mercury. The glass of the thermometer can break and mercury is harmful to humans. Therefore, a digital thermometer is a safer choice.
Step 2. Choose the location of temperature measurement in toddlers carefully
For children up to about three years of age (and possibly up to five years), rectal temperature measurement with a digital thermometer still provides the most accurate core body temperature measurement. You can use a digital ear thermometer in young children to get common measurements (better than no measurement at all), but children up to about three years of age or older, rectal, axillary, and arterial temperature measurements temporalis is considered more accurate. Mild to moderate fever in toddlers can be more dangerous than in adults. That's why accurate temperature measurement results for children under one year are so important.
- Ear infections are common and often experienced by newborns and toddlers, which affect the measurement results of infrared ear thermometers due to inflammation in the ear. As a result, the measurement result of an ear thermometer is usually too high due to an ear infection.
- Regular digital thermometers are quite versatile and can measure body temperature through the mouth (under the tongue), armpit, or rectum and are suitable for use on newborns, toddlers, children and adults.
Step 3. Take one of the thermometers and take the temperature of older children and adults through one of the measurement locations
Children over the age of three to five are less likely to develop ear infections and it is much easier to clean their ears and get rid of earwax buildup. Dirt in the ear canal prevents the thermometer from accurately reading the infrared radiation coming from the eardrum. In addition, children's ear canals also grow and become less curved. Therefore for children over the age of three to five years, temperature measurements taken with all types of thermometers through most of the body temperature measurement locations show fairly equal accuracy.
- Digital ear thermometers are often considered the quickest, easiest and least messy way of measuring body temperature.
- The results obtained from regular rectal digital thermometer measurements are very accurate, but can be the most unpleasant and messy way of measuring temperature.
- The heat sensitive strip attached to the forehead is comfortable and reasonably priced, but not as accurate as digital thermometers.
- In addition, there are "forehead" thermometers that are different from plastic strip thermometers. These thermometers are more expensive, are usually used in hospitals, and utilize infrared technology to obtain temperature measurements in the temporalis area.
Part 2 of 2: Using Different Types of Thermometers
Step 1. Take a digital thermometer by mouth
The mouth (oral cavity) is considered a reliable location for measuring body temperature if the thermometer is placed deep under the back of the tongue. Thus, take the digital thermometer from its storage case and turn it on; place the metal tip of the thermometer in a new single-use plastic wrap (if applicable); place the thermometer carefully under the tongue as far as possible towards the back of the mouth; then close your lips slowly, while still holding the thermometer in place, until the thermometer beeps and gives the measurement result. The measurement may take a few minutes, so breathe in through your nose while you wait.
- If you don't have a disposable thermometer case, clean the tip of the thermometer with soap and warm water (or rubbing alcohol), then rinse with cold water.
- After smoking, eating or drinking hot/cold liquids, wait 20-30 minutes before taking the temperature by mouth.
- The average human core temperature is around 37 °C (although each person's temperature will vary due to various factors), but the temperature measured by a digital thermometer by mouth tends to be slightly lower at 36.8 °C on average.
Step 2. Use a digital rectal thermometer
Anal measurement is usually used for toddlers and newborns. While this measurement is also very accurate for adults, it may be a bit inconvenient to perform. Before inserting a digital thermometer into the anus, make sure you lubricate it with water-soluble jelly or petroleum jelly. Lubrication is usually provided in the case of the thermometer – which will make it easier to insert the thermometer and increase comfort. Open the buttock area (easier if the patient is lying face down) and insert the tip of the thermometer no deeper than 1.25 cm into the anus. Never force the thermometer in if there is resistance. Be prepared to wait a minute or so for the thermometer to sound, then slowly remove the thermometer.
- Clean your hands and the thermometer in particular until they are completely clean after taking a rectal temperature measurement because E. coli bacteria from feces can cause serious infections.
- For rectal measurements, consider buying a digital thermometer that has a fairly flexible tip because it will provide more convenience.
- Digital thermometer readings rectal are usually one degree higher than oral and axillary (armpit).
Step 3. Use a digital thermometer under the arm
The armpit or axillary area is one of the locations for measuring body temperature, although it is considered not as accurate as through the mouth, rectum, or ear (tympanic membrane). After attaching the wrap to the tip of the digital thermometer, make sure the armpit is dry before you attach it. Place the tip of the thermometer in the center of the armpit (pointing up, toward the head) and then make sure that the arm is against the body so that body heat is trapped in the armpit. Wait at least a few minutes or until the thermometer beeps for the measurement results.
- After strenuous exercise or a hot shower, wait at least 1 hour before taking your temperature under your armpit or anywhere else.
- For better accuracy, take measurements on both armpits and then calculate the average temperature of the two measurements.
- The results of measurements with a digital thermometer through the armpit tend to be lower than in other measurement areas, with the average temperature being normal to around 36.5 °C.
Step 4. Use a tympanic thermometer
The tympanic thermometer has a different shape from the regular digital thermometer because it is specifically designed to fit into the ear canal. The tympanic thermometer reads measurements reflected by infrared (heat) from the tympanic membrane (ear drum). Before placing the thermometer in the ear, make sure the ear canal is free of debris and dry. Accumulation of earwax and other debris in the ear canal will reduce measurement accuracy. After turning on the ear thermometer and placing a sterile wrap on the tip of the thermometer, hold the head still and pull the top of the ear back to straighten the ear canal and make the tip of the thermometer easier to insert. There is no need to touch the tip of the thermometer to the eardrum as it is designed to take measurements over long distances. After pressing the tip of the thermometer against the ear canal, wait for the thermometer to take the measurement until it beeps.
- The safest and most effective way to clean the ears is to use a few drops of almond oil, mineral oil, warm olive oil or special ear drops to soften earwax, then rinse (irrigate) the ear by spraying a small amount of water from a small rubber device made for cleaning the ears. clean ears. Ear cleaning is easiest to do after a shower or bath.
- Do not use an ear thermometer on an ear that is infected, injured, or recovering from surgery.
- The advantage of using an ear thermometer is that measurements are made in a short time and give fairly accurate results if positioned correctly.
- Ear thermometers tend to be more expensive than regular digital thermometers, but they have actually gotten cheaper over the last decade.
Step 5. Use a plastic strip thermometer
Strip-type thermometers are used on the forehead and are quite popular for taking children's temperatures, but they vary quite a bit in terms of accuracy. This thermometer uses liquid crystals that react to heat and change color to indicate the temperature on the skin, but not the temperature inside the body. Strip-type thermometers are usually placed on the forehead (horizontally) for at least one minute before giving the measurement results. Before using it, make sure that your forehead is not sweating from physical exertion or being burned by the sun - both of these situations will affect the measurement results.
- It is difficult to obtain results within 1/10th of a degree of temperature because liquid crystals tend to show a temperature range as the color changes.
- For a more accurate result, place the strip closer to the temple area of the head (above the temporal artery which pulsates near the hairline). Blood in the temporal area is better at describing the core temperature in the body.
Step 6. Learn how to interpret measurement results
Keep in mind that newborns have a lower than normal body temperature compared to adults - usually less than 36.1 °C, compared to the normal 37 °C in adults. Thus, the result of a temperature measurement showing a low-grade fever in an adult (eg 37, 8 °C), could be more significant in an infant or newborn. Also, different types of thermometers have slightly different normal temperature ranges because they measure body temperature at different locations. For example, your child has a fever if: a rectal or ear temperature reading of 38 °C or higher, an oral measurement of 37.8 °C or more, and/or an axillary measurement of 37.2 °C or more.
- In general, you should contact the doctor if: your baby (younger than 3 months old) has a rectal temperature reading of 38 °C or more; your baby (3-6 months old) who has a rectal or ear temperature measurement of more than 38.9 °C; your child (6 to 24 months old) and has a temperature reading of over 38.9 °C, using one type of thermometer that lasts longer than one day.
- Most healthy adults can withstand a fever as high as 39-40 °C for a short period of time without experiencing problems. However, a temperature between 41-43 °C, called hyperpyrexia, is a serious condition and requires medical attention. Temperatures above 43 °C are almost always fatal.
Tips
- Read the instructions on the thermometer carefully. Although the way most digital thermometers are used is generally the same, you should make sure that you understand how to use an instrument perfectly.
- Set up a thermometer to take the temperature by pressing the button to turn it on - but make sure the reading is zero before placing the tip of the thermometer in a single-use plastic wrap.
- Digital thermometer plastic wrap can be found in stores that sell thermometers (such as convenience stores, pharmacies, etc.). These plastic wraps are inexpensive and are usually available in one size fits all products.
- Babies can't regulate their body temperature very well when they're sick, and babies may become colder instead of warmer and show symptoms of a fever.
- Wait about 15 minutes before taking the temperature if you've just had a hot or cold drink.
Warning
- An ear temperature of 38 °C or more is considered a symptom of fever. However, if your child is more than a year old and is drinking plenty of fluids and playing and sleeping as usual, your child generally does not need treatment.
- An ambient temperature of 38.9 °C or more accompanied by symptoms such as unusual irritability, discomfort, lethargy, and moderate to severe coughing and/or diarrhea, seek medical attention immediately.
- Symptoms of a high fever with a temperature of 39.4-41.1 °C are usually accompanied by hallucinations, confusion, severe irritability and convulsions – this is considered a medical emergency and you should seek emergency care immediately.
