How to use the digital, infrared or glass thermometer

To use the different types of thermometer correctly, one should read the manufacturer's instructions or ask the doctor or nurse for guidance. Thermometers vary according to the way of reading the temperature, which can be digital or analog, and with the location of the body most suitable for its use, there are models that can be used in the armpit, in the ear, in the forehead, in the mouth or in the anus.

The thermometer is important to check the temperature whenever there are symptoms of illnesses that cause fever, such as flu, Dengue or Zika, or to control the improvement or worsening of the disease, especially in children.

1. Digital thermometer

For the body temperature to be measured correctly with the digital thermometer, the following steps must be followed:

Turn on the thermometer and check if the number zero appears on the screen; Place the tip of the thermometer under the armpit or carefully introduce it into the anus, mainly to measure the temperature of children. In the case of measurement at the anus, one should be lying on his tummy upwards, insert only the metallic part of the thermometer into the anus; Wait a few seconds until you hear a beep; Remove the thermometer and check the temperature value on the screen; Clean the metallic tip with cotton wool or gauze moistened with alcohol.

See some precautions to measure the temperature correctly and understand which temperature is considered normal according to the place where you take the measurement.

2. Infrared thermometer

The infrared thermometer reads the temperature using rays that are emitted to the skin, but that do not harm health. There are infrared ear and forehead thermometers and both types are very practical, fast and hygienic.

In ear

To use the ear thermometer, also known as a tympanic or ear thermometer, you must:

Place the tip of the thermometer inside the ear and point it towards the nose; Press the button to turn the thermometer on until you hear a beep; Read the temperature value, which appears on the spot; Remove the thermometer from the ear and clean the tip with cotton or gauze with alcohol.

The infrared ear thermometer is very fast and easy to read, but it does require that you regularly purchase protective plastic capsules that make using 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 device correctly, you must:

Turn on the thermometer and check if the number zero appears on the screen; Place the thermometer against the forehead above the eyebrow, in case the thermometer instructions recommend contact with the skin, or point the thermometer towards the center of the forehead; Read the temperature value that comes out immediately and remove the thermometer from the forehead.

In cases where the instructions recommend touching the device to the skin, you should clean the tip of the thermometer 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 currently there are also glass thermometers similar to the old mercury thermometers, called analog thermometers, which have no mercury in their composition and which can be used safely.

To measure the temperature with these devices, you must:

Check the temperature of the thermometer before using it, making sure that the liquid is close to the lowest temperature; Place the metallized 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 immobile close to the body; Wait 5 minutes and remove the thermometer from the armpit; Check the temperature, observing the place where the liquid ends, which will be the measured temperature value.

This type of thermometer takes longer to assess the temperature than the others, and reading is more difficult to do, especially for the elderly or those with vision problems.

How to Clean a Broken Mercury Thermometer

In the event of breaking a thermometer with mercury it is very important to avoid any kind of direct contact with the skin. So, initially you must open the room window and leave the room for at least 15 minutes. Then you should put on rubber gloves and, to join the various balls of mercury, it is advisable to use a piece of cardboard and aspirate the mercury with a syringe.

At the end, to ensure that all the mercury has been collected, the room should be darkened and with a flashlight to illuminate the region where the thermometer was broken. If it is possible to identify something shining, it is possible that it is a lost ball of mercury.

If, when broken, the mercury comes into contact with absorbable surfaces, such as carpets, clothes or towels, it must be thrown away, as there is a risk of being contaminated. Any material used for cleaning or that is discarded, must be placed in a plastic bag and then left in an appropriate recycling center.

How to use the thermometer on baby

To measure the temperature in the baby, all types of thermometer 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 infrared forehead thermometer or digital thermometer..

In addition to these, there is also the pacifier thermometer, which is very fast and comfortable, and which 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 on the baby, it must be kept quiet so that the temperature value is as correct as possible. You need to be aware that Zika also causes low fever, and it is important to know how to identify all the symptoms of this disease.