When you report fevers to your doctor, always tell him/her the method used that you took your child's temperature with also mention the type of thermometer you used!
(bringing it with you can also be useful).
This is how each method is used, and its benefits!
Rectal (bringing it with you can also be useful).
This is how each method is used, and its benefits!
Is the most internal and obviously the most accurate form of taking temperatures, many doctors recommend taking a rectal temperature in babies and children 3 years of age and younger. With the appropriate type of thermometer. (mercury ones read best)
Oral
Placing the thermometer under the tongue with children over 3 is also pretty accurate, The shild needs to keep their mouth closed for 2-3 minutes and they must not have drunk any cold nor hot liquids prior to the reading... (we reccommend at least 20 minutes after they have drunk fluids before attempting an accurate reading!) The use of either digital or mercury thermometers with this method are both fine although the experts say mecury is still the better choice, others tend to say digital is just as accurate..
Ear
Tympanic thermometers give extremely good accurate readings with this method, but they're most certainly overly expensive. Inserting them into the childs ear canal correctly is essential for a correct and accurate reading, The build up of ear wax can cause inaccurate results, we suggest not to use this method when the child displays ear-ache, fluid in the ear or other ear infections..Its also important to note a consistant cold or allergy issue and realise these may cause build ups of fluid or wax and your reading could also result inaccurate...
Underarm
In this position all readings are the most inaccurate, but with small children its the lesser of two evils..They tend to have issues with things being inserted into the above body parts so the majority of the time this method is used.
Using a digital thermometer under the arm results in a less accurate reading then the use of a mecury one. However using either for 4-5 minutes should result in a fairy decent reading, it should good enough to let you know whether or not your child has a raised or lowered temperature.
Please Make Note
The best solution is obvious- if you cannot get a correct reading by the use of a thermometer at home, and your child is displaying symptoms of unwellness taking them too your doctor, pediatrician, walk-in clinic or hospital is of the utmost importance. Any child with a high temperature for any considerable length of time 12- 24 hours should be seen too and/or treated immediately by a doctor, If your child displays a temperature make sure they drink alot of fluids, like water or pedia-lyte, to help keep their temperature down and stop dehydration. Baby Advil/Tylenol or other Doctor reccomended fever reducing drugs can also be administered with approval by your doctor!
We wish your child Well and hope this helps you
understand the methods used and to help you
take your childs temperaturemore accurately in the future..
The Babies Team