When it is necessary to measure someone's body temperature, it is important to use the method that allows you to obtain the most accurate value. For infants and children under the age of 5, the most accurate figure is obtained by measuring the rectal temperature. For older children and adults, the value obtained by measuring the oral temperature is perfectly adequate. A valid alternative for people of all ages is to measure the axillary temperature, but this method is not as accurate as the others and should not be considered a valid reference point to understand if the person has a fever.
Choose a Method
- Measure the Oral Temperature: suitable for adults and children over the age of 5. Toddlers are unable to hold the thermometer in their mouth for measurement.
- Measure the Axillary Temperature: This method is too imprecise to be used with infants. You can use it for a quick check and then switch to another if the detected temperature exceeds 37 ° C.
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Measure the Rectal Temperature: ideal method for measuring the temperature of the little ones because it allows to obtain a very accurate reading.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Measure the Oral Temperature
Take a Temperature Step 2 Step 1. Use a multipurpose or oral-only digital thermometer
Some digital thermometers are designed to measure the temperature of the rectum, mouth and armpits indiscriminately, while others are designed for oral use only. Both instruments are capable of providing an accurate body temperature reading. You can buy a digital thermometer at a drugstore, online, or in well-stocked supermarkets.
If you have an old glass thermometer, throw it away instead of continuing to use it to measure body temperature. Nowadays these tools are considered risky because they contain mercury, which is a poisonous element to the touch
Take a Temperature Step 3 Step 2. Wait 20 minutes after taking a bath
Hot water can affect your body temperature, so it is best to wait at least 2 minutes to make sure you get the most accurate reading, especially if you are a child.
Take a Temperature Step 4 Step 3. Prepare the tip of the thermometer
Disinfect it with alcohol or warm water and antibacterial soap, then rinse it thoroughly with cold water. At this point, dry it perfectly.
Take a Temperature Step 5 Step 4. Turn on the thermometer and place it under your tongue
Make sure the tip is entirely in the mouth and under the tongue, not near the lips. The tongue should completely cover it.
- If you are taking a baby's body temperature, tell him how to hold the thermometer correctly or help him yourself.
- Make sure the thermometer moves as little as possible.
Take a Temperature Step 6 Step 5. Remove it from your mouth when it plays
When you hear the "beep", look at the digital display to determine if the person has a fever. Anything above 38 ° C is considered fever, but you don't need to go to the doctor right away unless the reading exceeds a specific temperature:
- If the baby is over five months old, call the pediatrician only if the fever is 38 ° C or higher.
- If the person with the fever is an adult, call the doctor only if it reaches or exceeds 40 ° C.
Take a Temperature Step 7 Step 6. Clean the thermometer again before putting it away
Use warm soapy water and dry it completely before storing it in the case for future use.
Method 2 of 3: Measure the Axillary Temperature
Take a Temperature Step 9 Step 1. Use a multipurpose digital thermometer
You can purchase one designed to measure rectal, oral, or axillary body temperature indiscriminately. In this way, after a first reading of the temperature in the armpits, you can decide to take a second measurement in case of high fever.
If you have an old glass thermometer, throw it away instead of continuing to use it to measure body temperature. These tools are now considered risky because they contain mercury, an element that is poisonous to the touch
Take a Temperature Step 10 Step 2. Turn on the thermometer and place it under your armpit
Raise your arm, rest the tip of the thermometer on your skin, then lower your arm back to lock it in place. The tip of the thermometer should be in the center of the armpit and be completely covered by the arm.
Take a Temperature Step 11 Step 3. Remove the thermometer when it rings
Look at the digital display to determine if the person has a fever. Anything above 38 ° C is considered fever, but you don't need to go to the doctor right away unless the reading exceeds a specific temperature:
- If the baby is over 5 months, call the pediatrician only if the fever is 38 ° C or higher.
- If the person with the fever is an adult, call the doctor if it reaches or exceeds 40 ° C.
Take a Temperature Step 12 Step 4. Clean the thermometer before putting it away
Use warm soapy water and dry it completely before storing it in the case for future use.
Method 3 of 3: Measure the Rectal Temperature
Take a Temperature Step 14 Step 1. Use a multipurpose or rectal-only digital thermometer
Some digital thermometers are designed to measure the temperature of the rectum, mouth and armpits indiscriminately, while others are designed to be used exclusively in the rectum. Both instruments are capable of providing an accurate body temperature reading. You can buy a digital thermometer at a drugstore, online, or in well-stocked supermarkets.
- Choose a model with a wide handle and a very short tip that cannot penetrate too deeply into the rectum. These features will make measurement easier while avoiding the risk of causing damage to the rectum.
- If you have an old glass thermometer, throw it away instead of continuing to use it to measure body temperature. Today these tools are considered risky because they contain mercury, an element that is poisonous to the touch.
Take a Temperature Step 15 Step 2. If you need to take a baby's body temperature, wait 20 minutes after swaddling or bathing
Either way the heat could make the measurement inaccurate, so it's best to wait at least 20 minutes to make sure you get the most accurate reading possible.
Take a Temperature Step 16 Step 3. Prepare the tip of the thermometer
Disinfect it with alcohol or warm water and antibacterial soap, then rinse it thoroughly with cold water. At this point, dry it perfectly, then grease it with a little Vaseline to make it easier to insert it into the rectum.
Take a Temperature Step 17 Step 4. Position the baby making sure he is comfortable
You can choose to keep him on your lap on his stomach or lay him flat on his back on a solid surface. Choose the position in which you feel most comfortable and which makes it easier to access the rectum.
Take a Temperature Step 18 Step 5. Turn on the thermometer
Most digital thermometers clearly indicate which button to press to turn on. Wait a few moments to give it time to activate and prepare to take body temperature.
Take a Temperature Step 19 Step 6. Gently separate the baby's buttocks, then insert the thermometer very slowly
Use one hand to keep the buttocks slightly apart, while with the other, carefully insert the tip of the thermometer into the rectum. Stop immediately if you feel any resistance and remember that you should not insert it more than 1.5-2 cm.
Hold the thermometer in place by holding it carefully between the first three fingers. At the same time, keep your other hand gently, but firmly, resting on the baby's bottom to prevent him from wriggling too much
Take a Temperature Step 20 Step 7. When you hear it ring, carefully remove the thermometer from the rectum
Read the temperature shown on the display to determine if the child has a fever. Again, any value above 38 ° C is considered fever.
- If the baby is less than five months old, call the pediatrician if the fever is 38 ° C or higher.
- If the baby is over five months old, call the pediatrician if the fever is 38.3 ° C or higher.
- If the person in question is an adult, call the doctor if the fever reaches or exceeds 40 ° C.
Take a Temperature Step 21 Step 8. Clean the thermometer before putting it away
Use warm soapy water and complete the cleaning with alcohol to perfectly disinfect the tip.
Advice
- It is very important to call your doctor if you have any doubts about a child's health.
- Using an electronic ear thermometer or liquid crystal strip to measure forehead temperature is not recommended. In both cases the reading is not as accurate as that given by a digital thermometer.
- If you want to take the rectal temperature, use a digital thermometer reserved exclusively for that use, to ensure the best possible hygiene.
- As a general guideline, 38 ° C is considered low fever and 40 ° C high fever.
Warnings
- Call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room if a baby three months of age or younger has a rectal temperature of 38 ° C or higher.
- Disinfect the thermometer immediately after use.
- Ask your local council to find out where to throw away the old mercury thermometers. Even a small amount of this substance is capable of causing serious harm to the environment.
