To use the different types of thermometer correctly, read the manufacturer's instructions or ask your doctor or nurse for advice. Thermometers vary according to how to read the temperature, which can be digital or analog, and with the location of the body most suitable for use, there are models that can be used in the armpit, ear, forehead, mouth or anus.
The thermometer is important to check the temperature whenever there are symptoms of diseases that cause fever, such as influenza, Dengue or Zika, or to control the improvement or worsening of the disease, especially in children.
1. Digital Thermometer
In order for the body temperature to be measured correctly with the digital thermometer, follow the steps:
- Turn on the thermometer and check that the display shows the number zero;
- Place the tip of the thermometer under the armpit or carefully insert it into the anus, mainly to measure the temperature of children. In the case of measurement in the anus, one must lie down with the belly upwards, only insert the metallic part of the thermometer in the anus;
- Wait a few seconds until you hear a beep;
- Remove the thermometer and check the temperature value on the screen;
- Clean the metallized tip with cotton or gauze moistened with alcohol.
Take some precautions to measure the temperature correctly and understand which temperature is considered normal according to where you measure it.
2. Infrared Thermometer
The infrared thermometer reads the temperature through rays that are emitted to the skin but that do not detract from health. There are infrared ear and forehead thermometers and the two types are very practical, fast and hygienic.
In ear
To use the ear thermometer, also known as a tympanic or auricular thermometer, you should:
- Place the tip of the thermometer inside the ear and point it towards the nose;
- Turn the thermometer on until you hear a beep;
- Read the temperature value, which appears on the hour;
- Remove the thermometer from the ear and wipe the tip with cotton or gauze with alcohol.
The infrared ear thermometer is very fast and easy to read, but requires regular plastic capsules that make the use of the thermometer more expensive.
On the forehead
Depending on the type of infrared forehead thermometer, it is possible to measure the temperature by placing the device directly in contact with the skin or at a distance of up to 5 cm from the forehead. To use this type of appliance correctly, you should:
- Turn on the thermometer and check that the display shows the number zero;
- Place the thermometer on the forehead in the region above the eyebrow in case the thermometer instructions recommend contact with the skin or point the thermometer at the center of the forehead;
- Read the value of the exiting temperature immediately and remove the thermometer from the forehead.
In cases where the instructions recommend placing the appliance on the skin, the tip of the thermometer should be wiped with cotton or gauze with alcohol after use.
3. Mercury or glass thermometer
The use of the mercury thermometer is contraindicated due to health risks, such as respiratory problems or skin damage, but today there are also glass thermometers similar to the old mercury thermometers, called analog thermometers, which do not contain mercury in their composition and which can be used safely.
To measure the temperature with these appliances, you should:
- Check the temperature of the thermometer before using it, noting that the liquid is near the lowest temperature;
- Place the metalized tip of the thermometer under the armpit or in the anus, according to the place where the temperature is to be measured;
- Keep the arm that has the thermometer still close to the body;
- Wait 5 minutes and remove the thermometer from the armpit;
- Check the temperature by observing the place where the liquid ends, which will be the value of the measured temperature.
This type of thermometer takes longer to evaluate the temperature than others, in addition to reading it is more difficult to do, especially for the elderly or with vision problems.
How to Clean a Broken Mercury Thermometer
In case you break a thermometer with mercury it is very important to avoid any kind of direct contact with the skin. So you should initially open the window of the room and leave the room for at least 15 minutes. Rubber gloves are then to be put on, and to merge the various mercury pellets, it is advisable to use a piece of cardboard and vacuum the mercury with a syringe.
At the end, to ensure that all the mercury has been collected, the room should be darkened and a flashlight illuminating the region where the thermometer broke. If you can identify something sparkling, it may be a lost mercury ball.
If mercury comes into contact with absorbent surfaces, such as carpets, clothing or towels, it should be discarded when there is a risk of contamination. All material used for cleaning or discarded should be placed in a plastic bag and then left in an appropriate recycling center.
How to use the thermometer in baby
To measure the temperature in the baby, all types of thermometers can be used, but it is easier to measure the temperature with thermometers that are quick and do not cause discomfort to the baby, such as the infrared ear thermometer, the forehead infrared thermometer or digital thermometer .
In addition to these, there is also the pacifier thermometer, which is very fast and comfortable, and should be used as follows:
- Insert the thermometer into the baby's mouth for 1 to 2 minutes;
- Read the temperature on the pacifier screen;
- Remove the pacifier and wash with warm water.
It is important to remember that to use any type of thermometer in the baby, it should be kept quiet so that the temperature value is as correct as possible. It is necessary to be aware because the zika also usually causes low fever, being important to know to identify all the symptoms of this disease.
