How to Take an Accurate Temperature

Back in the days when my sister and I were just wee tots, we rarely saw the thermometer. Instead, if we felt ill or fluey, mum would purse her lips, put them to our foreheads, and voila, like any normal human equipped with a built-in, finely tuned heat-seeking device, declare decisively, “You have a fever.”

Indeed, these four words were usually met with a meek smile and a look of adoration that barely masked my deep-down abundance of glee. Fever? I have a fever? I could be 40 Degrees Celsius, for all I cared, as long as it meant the next six words, “You’d better stay home from school.”

Alas, the tables have finally turned, and with a little one who is, day by day, beginning to figure out this mum manipulation business just a little more, I figure I had better begin to rely a little more on science. Although nine times out of ten, pursed lips (or the back of the hand) can detect a raised temperature, it’s nice to have the extra reassurance of being able to accurately take a temperature using a thermometer.

There are three main methods to take a temperature using a thermometer; these are the rectal, auxiliary, and oral methods. All three vary in their accuracy, ease of execution, suitability to different age groups, and normal temperature ranges. Here is the lowdown:

Regardless of the method, always clean your thermometer with hot water before you use it and dry with a sanitary towel or cloth. If you have a mercury thermometer, hold the end and give it a couple of good shakes before beginning. Make sure that the mercury readout is below 35 Degrees Celsius before taking your child’s temperature. If you have a digital thermometer, press the on button, and wait for the ready beep.

Oral (Mouth) Method: Although it is one of the more preferred methods used by parents, an oral temperature reading is not recommended on children under the age of five due to safety concerns. Place the thermometer gently but firmly under the tongue and center it in the middle. Your child’s lips must be closed. A temperature reading takes two to four minutes and is considered a fever if it exceeds 37.5 C (99.5 F).

Axillary (Underarm) Method: This method is, by far, the easiest, however is considered to be the most inaccurate. First, remove any clothing that might interfere with taking an accurate temperature and ensure that your child’s underarm is dry. Then tuck the thermometer well into the armpit area and place your child’s arm against his side to keep it in place. A temperature reading takes four to five minutes and is considered a fever if it exceeds 37.2 C (99 F).

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic