Tips On Temperature Taking

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.

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. 

• 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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	Reference Guide Goh, M. H. (2016). A Manager’s Guide to Implement Your Infectious Disease Business Continuity Plan, 2nd Edition. GMH Pte Ltd.