---
title: Tips On Temperature Taking
description: Tips On Temperature Taking
image: https://blog.bcm-institute.org/hubfs/More%20Post%20Icon/Pandemic/New%20Updated%20Pandemic%20Icon/Pandemic%20BC%20Plan%20Templates/IC_Pandemic%20Template_Tips%20on%20Temperature%20Taking.png
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# Tips On Temperature Taking
Taking temperature is not an usual process except when someone is suspected of having a fever. In the case of a pandemic outbreak, there is a need to have the confident level to determine if a person is having a fever or not as one has very limited time in making a decision on a suspected case. The objective of presenting the content is to consolidate the information into one article for ease of reference.
[Aqmar Azizi](https://blog.bcm-institute.org/pandemic-infectious-diseases/author/aqmar-azizi) Feb 10, 2020
## **Tips on Temperature Taking**
#### **When to take your temperature**
Wait for 30 minutes before temperature taking if you have just exercised, been outdoors, eaten, drunk or showered.
Source: (Goh, 2016) Appendix 20 pp 113 to 115.
Note that as COVID-19 progress, there is readily available thermal imaging technology that could scan temperature from a distance, using your plan and forehead.
**How to take your temperature?**
There are different ways of temperature taking for the different types of thermometers available.
#### Glass Thermometer
- Wash the thermometer bulb with soap and water before use.
- Shake the thermometer a few times to bring the level of the mercury below 35 oC.
- Temperatures can be taken from the armpit or mouth.
##### Armpit reading
- Place the thermometer bulb under your armpit.
- Fold your arm across the chest to hold the thermometer in place.
- Remove the thermometer and read the temperature after 5 minutes.
##### Oral reading
- Place the thermometer bulb under your tongue.
- Close your mouth and do not talk or bite the thermometer.
- Remove the thermometer and read the temperature after 3 minutes.
- Wash the bulb of the thermometer with soap and water after use.
#### **Digital Thermometer**
- Wash the area of the thermometer bulb with soap and water before use.
- Switch on the thermometer and wait until it is ready to register a reading.
- Temperatures can be taken at the armpit
- Place the thermometer bulb under your armpit.
- Fold your arm across your chest to hold the thermometer in place.
- The thermometer will beep to signal that the temperature display is ready for reading.
- Remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
- Temperatures can be taken via oral reading.
- Place the thermometer bulb under your tongue.
- Close your mouth and do not talk or bite the thermometer.
- The thermometer will beep to signal that the temperature display is ready for reading.
- Remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
- Wash the area of the thermometer bulb with soap and water after use.
#### **Ear (Tympanic) Thermometer**
- Place a new disposable cap over the probe.
- Switch on the thermometer.
- Pull the ear backwards and upwards to straighten the ear canal when the thermometer is ready to register a reading.
- Insert the thermometer as a probe into the ear canal.
- Press the activation button and hold until a reading appears (some models may beep when it is ready for reading).
- Remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
- Discard cap after use (use a new cap for every temperature taking).
**Remember: **
- It is important to read the manufacturer’s instructions on the proper use of the thermometer.
- When washing glass or digital thermometers, wash only the area in contact with the mouth/skin as the thermometer may not be waterproof.
- Do not talk when taking an oral temperature or move about when taking an armpit temperature.
**Do you know... **
- Temperatures taken at the different part of the body present different readings – those taken from the armpit are lower than readings from the mouth and ear.
##### Adults
- if the armpit temperature is over 37 oC, the oral temperature is over 37.3 oC
- or the ear temperature is over 37.7 oC
- , you have a fever.
##### Children
- Children (below 12 years) have a fever if the armpit temperature is over 37.2 oC
- , the oral temperature is over 37.5 oC or the ear temperature is over 37.9 oC
- The normal temperature for healthy adults and children ranges from 36.2 oC to 37.2 oC and the average normal temperature is taken as 37 oC
- Children tend to have higher body temperatures due to higher metabolic rates.
- Women who are ovulating may have temperatures that are 0.5 oC
- higher due to hormonal changes in their bodies.
- Adults over 65 years of age may have temperatures that are 0.3 oC lower because of lower metabolic rates.
- The times of the month and day also affect your temperature. The body is at its lowest temperature at 3 am when it is at rest, and at its highest at 6 pm after a busy day.
- To ensure accurate readings, it is advisable to take your temperature at the same time
#### Disclaimer and Author's Comment:
This article is researched and it is not written by a medical professional. Please seek professional medical advice if there is a need to finalise your operating procedures. I found the precision in the temperature oC checking useful as a non-medical professional.
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