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
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Wash the area of the thermometer bulb with soap and water before use.
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Switch on the thermometer and wait until it is ready to register a reading.
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Temperatures can be taken at the armpit
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Place the thermometer bulb under your armpit.
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Fold your arm across your chest to hold the thermometer in place.
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The thermometer will beep to signal that the temperature display is ready for reading.
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Remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
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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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