cold
April 26, 2024

Measuring fever: That 's how it works

Which thermometer to measure fever?

The body temperature changes during the day, so it is usually lower in the morning than in the evening. Therefore: Better to measure at the same time of day and always in the same place (eg always rectally or always orally). You can use a contact thermometer or an infrared thermometer - both versions are easy to handle.

On digital thermometer is battery operated and can be used on various parts of the body. It usually takes only 30 to 60 seconds for the measurement, stops it with a beep and displays the temperature on the display.
The ear thermometer measures via infrared points on the eardrum. In infants, it is not necessarily appropriate as the ear canals are still too tight. The forehead thermometer works on the temples on the same principle.
Not very common, but very accurate, is the analogue glass thermometer, The newer ones contain no toxic mercury anymore, since this is forbidden since 2009. Unlike the other fever thermometers it takes several minutes to measure the fever. And: It is not shatterproof and therefore not recommended for children and infants.

What is the best place to measure?

Ear, mouth, armpit or butt? In fact, the results differ depending on the method. Although not very popular, that applies rectal measurement as the most accurate, Lying on the side or on the back and before using the thermometer tip, e.g. grease with a little Vaseline.

Prefer her the measurement in the mouth, put her the fever thermometer under the tongue, The temperature differs here by about 0.3 to 0.5 ° C from the real value. So that the result is not further distorted, you should Do not eat or drink cold 15 minutes before.
When measuring fever, the specially developed ear thermometer is one of the most comfortable methods. Pull the ear slightly upwards before insertion into the external auditory canal. Again, the results can be 0.5 to 1 ° Celsius lower.
You can also measure fever on the forehead, to the thermometer just to the temples hold. However, the method is not as accurate as the others. The same applies to the determination of body temperature in the armpitbecause there it deviates too much from the actual core temperature of the body.

By the way, the best tips for sore throat, chronic cold and runny nose can be found on our theme page Healthy through autumn and winter.