Taking Your Temperature.

Every notice the first thing we do if we feel sick is to touch our forehead to see how hot it is.  Sometimes it feels so hot that it must be a fever.  You take your temperature only to find out it’s normal.  However if it measures over 98.6 degrees, it is time to take the day off.   In general, 98.6 degrees-Fahrenheit is normal, but that can vary a few degrees from person to person., and region to region. 

Nowadays, the trusted mercury glass thermometer has been replace by electronic digital ones. As you know glass can break, and mercury is a toxic material, creating a very dangerous situation.  So it would make sense to start using an electronic digital thermometer.  They provide quick readings on an easy to read display and are very accurate when used properly..

Usually all electronic digital thermometers use a liquid crystal display to reveal the temperature.  Most use a disposable probe cover to keep things sanitary for the next user.  Electronic digital thermometers use standard or rechargeable batteries.  Some models have a memory to keep track of previous readings.  It’s easy to switch from Fahrenheit or Celsius.

Mercury thermometers work on the principle that the volume of the mercury changes relative to its temperature.  Digital thermometers translates the electrical resistance into temperature readings.

There are five major areas for taking your temperature:

Oral-the probe is placed under the tongue, and you need to close your mouth and hold the probe until a reading is made.  The old mercury thermometers can take several minutes to a few seconds with the new digital thermometers

Rectal-the probe is placed in the rectum, usually done to infants and young children, because children still need to breathe through their mouths.

Auxiliary-the probe is placed in the armpit area or behind the knee.  It’s invasive, and can take longer and not as accurate.

Ear or Tympanic-reads the temperature off the eardrum by placing the probe in the ear cavity.  Ear wax can provide false and inaccurate readings.  Current technology quickly reads the temperature very quickly

Forehead or Temporal Artery-the probe is run over the surface of the forehead taking readings from different parts of the forehead to provide an average reading.

Whichever technique you use or the type of thermometer you use, cleaning your thermometer is important.  If the thermometer uses a probe cover, please replace it before using it again.

Electronic digital thermometers are one of those items that everyone seems to have somewhere in the house.  It is an essential tool that a doctor has on hand to make a diagnosis to prescribe a plan to make you feel better.