Thermometers To Measure Temperature

A thermometer is a device used to measure body temperature or a temperature gradient.Here is some thermometers that you can use to measure temperature are:

1. Rectal (Digital Probe Thermometer)

General Instructions (may vary depending on thermometer brand)

• Lubricate thermometer tip with petroleum jelly.
• Lay child face down across the lap and spread your baby’s buttock’s cheeks to insert the thermometer into the rectum. Don’t insert it any more than one inch.
• Hold the thermometer in place until it beeps and the temperature is displayed.

Comments

• Most accurate, considered the standard for temperature measurement.
• This route is recommended for young children, especially infants of age less than 3 months, if feasible.
• Invasive (Has potential risk of rectal injury).
• Your child has a fever if rectal temperature >100.4°F (38.0°C).

Approximate Cost: $5-$20

2. I) Oral (Digital Probe Thermometer)

General Instructions (may vary depending on thermometer brand)

• Wait for at least 20 – 30 minutes after drinking or eating before checking temperature through the oral route.
• Place tip of the thermometer under the tongue.
• Hold thermometer in place by closing mouth until it beeps and temperature is displayed.

Comments

• Noninvasive, but requires the child to hold the thermometer in mouth, under the tongue, for about 30 seconds to a minute or so.
• Recommended for children of age 4years or older.
• The child has a fever if the oral temperature is more than 99.5°F (37.5°C).

Approximate Cost: $3-$18

2. II) Oral (Digital Pacifier Thermometer)

General Instructions (may vary depending on thermometer brand)

• Wait for at least 20-30 minutes post drinking or eating before use.
• Press button to turn on thermometer.
• Place the pacifier bulb in the child’s mouth.
• Hold thermometer in mouth until it beeps and temperature is displayed.

Comments

• Inspect the pacifier bulb for any sort of cracks, tears, and tackiness before using it. Do not use if pacifier is worn.
• Noninvasive, the child needs to hold the thermometer in mouth for 3 to 6 minutes, depending on the model.
• It’s recommended to add 0.5 degrees to reading to get true temperature.

Approximate Cost – $4-$14

3. Ear (TympanicThermometer)

General Instructions (may vary depending on thermometer brand)

• Remove protective cap and clean thermometer probe.
• Place a new probe cover over the thermometer probe.
• Turn on thermometer.
• Hold your child’s head still.
• Gently insert thermometer probe tip into the ear. Do not use force or push hard.
• Press button for temperature reading.
• Hold thermometer in place until it beeps and temperature is displayed.

Comments

• Uses infrared technology to measure temperature inside ear canal.
• Must be positioned in ear canal properly for accurate reading.
• Noninvasive and takes only seconds for a reading.
• Not recommended for infants <6 months as their ear canals are too small.
• Not recommended for use in children with ear infections.
• Excessive earwax and improper placement of thermometer probe in the ear can affect accuracy of reading.
• Often records lower temperature than rectal thermometer.
• The child has a fever if ear temperature is>100.4°F (38°C). Some sources use a lower reading (e.g., >100.0ºF [37.8ºC]).

Approximate Cost:$15-$100

4. Forehead (Temporal Artery Thermometer)

(e.g., Exergen Temporal Scanner, TAT-2000C, Braun Forehead Thermometer,etc.)

General Instructions (may vary depending on thermometer brand)

• Remove protective cap before use.
• Clean lens/probe according to user instructions if needed.
• Gently place the probe flat on the center of the forehead, midway between the eyebrow and the hairline.
• Press and hold button.
• Lightly slide the thermometer across the forehead.
• Keep the lens/probe flat and in contact with the skin until you reach the hairline.
• Release button for temperature reading.
• If there is sweat on the forehead, place the thermometer lens/probe behind the ear lobe before releasing the button for temperature reading.
• Temperature should not be measured over scar tissue, open wounds, or abrasions.

Comments

• Uses infrared technology to measure temperature.
• Noninvasive and takes only seconds for a reading.
• Allow the thermometer to adjust to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before use to avoid a false reading.
• Easy to use but also prone to user error.
• Replacement of probe covers not required.
• Generally more accurate than a tympanic thermometer, but less accurate than the rectal thermometer.
• The child has a fever if temporal artery temperature is >100.7º F (38.1º C) for 0-2month old, >100.3º F (37.9º C) for 3-47month old, >100.1º F (37.8º C) for >4 years old.

Approximate Cost: $13-$40

5. Thermometer Route – Forehead, Navel, Neck (“Non-contact” Infrared Thermometers)

(E.g. Thermo focus BV- 1500 “5-in-1” Family FeverThermometer, others)

This thermometer can also be used to measure temperatures of room, baby bottle/food, bath water, and other surfaces.

General Instructions (may vary depending on thermometer brand)

• Allow the thermometer to adjust to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before use to avoid false reading.
• Do not use on perspiring forehead.
• Press and release the “on” button.
• Wait for the word “READY” to display.
• Open the protective cap.
• Press the same button again and hold it down: the two aiming lights will come on and the display will start to show the temperature.
• Hold the thermometer perpendicular to the middle of the forehead and move thermometer closer to or further from the forehead until a single point of light appears.
• When taking temperature from the neck, aim light about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the outer ear (auricle) for adults and 0.4 inches (1 cm) for babies.
• When using to take a temperature from the navel area, remove clothes to expose 1¼ inches (3 cm) around the navel and aim lights on the navel, or a bit above it.
• Release the button and hold the device steady until the lights flash.
• Read the temperature shown on the display.
• Close the protective cap.

Comments

• Uses infrared technology.
• Noninvasive and takes only seconds for a reading.
• Easy to use, but may be less reliable than tympanic thermometers.
• Prone to user error.
• Forehead is the ideal part of the body for temperature measurement. However, if it is not possible to use the forehead, some noncontact thermometers can also be used on the navel or neck. Do not use navel unless the area is hairless. Temperatures measured from these alternative sites are not as accurate.
• Use in a draft-free room at a constant temperature between 60.8°F (16°C) and 104°F (40°C) to avoid inaccuracy.
• Some models can only be used on the forehead and some don’t have an emitting light for aiming position (e.g., Kidz-Med 5-in-1).

Approximate Cost: $13-$100

• Less reliable than other thermometers.
• Check manufacturer’s instructions for appropriate age for use.
• Some monitor temperature using Bluetooth and can be tracked using app for Android or IOS device (TempTraq).
• Some are considered “temperature indicators” and only provide approximate temperature (Fever Bugz, Fever Fish reads normal, 99ºF, 101ºF, 103ºF, and 105 º F).

6. Underarm/Axillary (Digital Probe Thermometer)

General Instructions (may vary depending on thermometer brand)

• Remove the child’s clothing above the waist.
• Place thermometer under the armpit.
• Thermometer must be touching skin, not clothing.
• Hold the child close to secure thermometer in place until the thermometer beeps.

Comments

• Requires the child to hold the thermometer under the armpit for about 30 seconds to a minute.
• Less accurate method, but can be used to screen for fever.
• Confirm reading with another method if axillary temperature >99ºF (37.2º C).

7. Color Changing Strips (e.g., Fever Reader, NexTemp, TempaDOT, Others)

General Instructions (may vary depending on thermometer brand)

• Press strip against forehead or under the arm, as per manufacturer’s instructions.
• Reads temperature within one minute.

Comments

• Less reliable than other thermometers.
• Most are reusable, but some are single-use(e.g., NexTemp, Tempa DOT)
• Wipe reusable strips with damp cloth after use.

Approximate Cost –<$1-$6

8. Wearable Thermometer (e.g., TempTraq, Vicks Wearable Thermometer, Fever Bugz, Fever Fish others)

General Instructions (may vary depending on thermometer brand)

• Single-use (24 to 48 hours).
• Place patch according to directions. Can be placed under armpit, on forehead, etc

Comments

• Less reliable than other thermometers.
• Check manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly for appropriate age for use.
• Some monitor temperature using Bluetooth and can be tracked using the app for Android or IOS device (TempTraq).
• Some are considered “temperature indicators” and only provide approximate temperature (Fever Bugz, Fever Fish reads normal, 99ºF, 101ºF, 103ºF, and 105 º F).

Approximate Cost:$1-$20

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