How To Use Cvs Health Thermometer

digital thermometer — Digital thermometer

Why should I take my temperature?

Checking your torso's temperature with a thermometer is an easy way to come across if a fever is present. A fever, which is a rise in the body's temperature, is usually caused by an infection. Though fevers can exist uncomfortable, they are a sign that the body is fighting off infection.

There are many different types of thermometers yous tin can use to mensurate temperature. When using any kind of thermometer, brand sure you read and follow the instructions that come up with the thermometer. If your thermometer uses batteries, bank check them. You might notice that weak batteries requite inconsistent readings.

What is a normal body temperature?

Normal trunk temperature is well-nigh 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or 37 degrees Celsius (°C). Normal temperature often varies from 1° to two°F (½° to 1°C). A normal temperature is commonly lower in the forenoon and increases during the twenty-four hours. Information technology reaches its high in the late afternoon or evening.

What temperature is considered a fever?

In adults, a fever is considered to be a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or above. You tin treat this at habitation with a fever reducer medication and fluids to make yourself more comfortable, or allow it run its course. But if it reaches 102°F (38.viii°C) or higher and home treatment doesn't lower it, phone call your healthcare provider.

What types of thermometer should I use to accept a temperature?

Digital thermometer

A digital thermometer is the most authentic and quickest way to take a temperature. Digital thermometers are available in about drug stores and supermarket pharmacies. Depending on where you shop, a digital thermometer tin can cost from $half dozen to $20. Be sure to follow packet instructions while using whatsoever thermometer.

Digital thermometer for taking your temperature

Digital thermometer

How to employ a digital thermometer?

A digital thermometer tin can exist used iii different ways. These include:

Oral: For this method, the thermometer is placed under the tongue. This method is used for adults and children 4 and over who are able to hold thermometer in mouth.
Rectal: For this method, the thermometer is inserted gently into the rectum. This is mostly done in babies merely tin can used in children up to 3 years of age. You tin can accept rectal temperatures in children older than 3 years, but it might be hard to keep them equally nevertheless equally they need to stay.
Axillary: For this method, the thermometer is placed in the armpit for young children or adults whose temperature tin't safely be done orally. This method is non as accurate every bit oral or rectal but can be used equally a quick outset cheque. Y'all can follow this with an oral or rectal reading.

Other types of thermometers (young children and adults):

Tympanic (ear): This type of thermometer measures the temperature inside of the ear by reading the infrared heat at that place. For best results, brand sure to follow the instructions on the device about placing the tip correctly. For older babies and children, ear thermometers tin be quicker and easier to use. However, they are not recommended if your baby is three months old or younger. They should non be used if your child has too much earwax, or if they have an earache.

Ear (tympanic) thermometer

Ear (tympanic) thermometer

Temporal artery (brow): Forehead thermometers are also used to measure temperature, but may not be as reliable as the digital thermometers and are ordinarily more expensive. They are placed on the temporal artery of the brow and measure the infrared rut that comes off of the head.

Forehead thermometer

Forehead (temporal artery) thermometer

What types of thermometers aren't recommended?

Some thermometers aren't recommended due to their inaccuracy.

Plastic strip thermometers only measure out the skin temperature.
Pacifier thermometers are not precise and are hard to use correctly considering they take to stay in the child's oral fissure for long enough to record a temperature.
Smartphone app thermometers.

Is my old mercury glass thermometer okay to utilize?

No, y'all should not use your one-time glass thermometer that contains mercury. These types of thermometers were found in nearly every firm and hospital at 1 fourth dimension before digital thermometers were available. The mercury thermometers were hard to read so did not always provide accurate data.

The main reason they are not longer recommended is that mercury can poison you. This can happen when the glass breaks and mercury is released. If you lot do still have one of these thermometers, yous should contact your local waste department and find how to dispose of hazardous waste properly.

There are glass thermometers available that do not use mercury, but most people adopt the digital thermometers that practise non shatter.

How practise I take a temperature with a thermometer?

Using a digital oral thermometer

Wash your hands with lather and warm water.
Use a clean thermometer, one that has been washed in cold water, cleaned with rubbing booze, and then rinsed to remove the alcohol.
Exercise not eat or drink anything for at to the lowest degree five minutes before yous take your temperature considering the temperature of the food or beverage could brand the reading inaccurate. You should go along your rima oris airtight during this time.
Place the thermometer tip nether the tongue.
Hold the thermometer in the same spot for well-nigh 40 seconds.
Readings will proceed to increase and the F (or C) symbol will wink during measurement.
Usually, the thermometer will brand a beeping noise when the final reading is done (usually about 30 seconds). If you are keeping track, record the temperature and the time.
Rinse thermometer in cold h2o, clean it with booze and rinse once again.

Using a digital rectal thermometer (for babies and children upwardly to 3 years old)

Rectal thermometer

Launder the rectal thermometer with soap and warm water. Don't employ an oral thermometer.
Put a small amount of lubricant (petroleum jelly or Vaseline®) on the sensor (tip) of the thermometer.
Place your kid abdomen down on your lap or table, with one palm on their dorsum. Or identify them face-upwardly, with legs bent toward their chest and hold the back of their thighs with ane mitt. Put a diaper or cloth under your kid as he or she may poop immediately after removal of the thermometer.
Using your other mitt, gently insert the thermometer into the anus until the tip is completely inside the rectum. Practice Not force it if you feel resistance.
Keep the thermometer steady with your hand until yous hear the beep (around 30 seconds).
Gently remove. Record temperature and time.
Clean the thermometer thoroughly with lather and h2o. You may want to make clean information technology off again with alcohol and then rinse it once more.

Using a digital axillary (same as oral) thermometer

Remove the kid's shirt and place the thermometer tip into your child's armpit. Make sure your child'due south armpit is dry to become the almost authentic reading.
Go along the axillary thermometer in identify by folding your child's arm across his or her chest.
The thermometer will beep when reading is done (this method may take longer than xxx seconds).
Remove and record temperature and fourth dimension.
Clean the thermometer with soap and water or with booze, always rinsing as a last step.

Should I add a caste to oral (under the tongue) and axillary (under the arm) readings?

Yeah, for the most accuracy. Rectal temperatures are considered most accurate indication of the body's temperature. Oral and axillary temperature readings are about ½° to 1°F (.3°C to .6°C) beneath rectal. Add together these numbers to oral and axillary temperature readings for the most accurate reading.

Using a tympanic thermometer (for adults and children over two years old)

Pull gently back on the elevation of the ear to open up the ear canal.
Place the protective comprehend on the tip of the thermometer.
Gently insert the thermometer until the ear culvert is fully sealed off.
Press and hold downwardly the button for 1-2 seconds until you hear a beep (follow the manufacturer's instructions).
Remove the thermometer, discard the embrace, and record temperature and time.

Using a temporal artery thermometer

Turn the thermometer on.
Place the protective cap on the thermometer.
Sweep the thermometer gently beyond the forehead then the infrared scanner can measure the temperature of the temporal artery.
Record the temperature and time.
Remove the protective embrace and dispose of it.

Note: Some newer brow thermometers do non require covers because the thermometer does not need to touch the forehead. These products are placed nearly the forehead and are able to have a reading.

How often should I accept my temperature?

If you are feeling ill or if your child seems to be ill, information technology'due south likely that you volition reach for your thermometer. Oft one of the first questions a health provider asks is if you have taken the temperature of the person who is ill. Yous may decide to accept medicine to reduce the fever. If you do, there is usually a period of time on the instructions nearly when it is safe to take the medicine once more. (This is ordinarily a period of virtually four to six hours.) Before taking another dose, cheque your temperature or your child's to see if medicine is actually needed.

Nonetheless, if the showtime temperature is very loftier, you might decide to recheck temperature on a more than regular schedule, peradventure once or twice an 60 minutes. You might decide to recheck temperatures when medicine doesn't seem to be working, such equally when the illness is not getting better, and yous still have symptoms. Your healthcare provider might recommend times to take your temperature, like mornings and evenings. You should go on a record of these temperatures to exist able to report back.

How should I clean and store my thermometer?

It is a good idea to keep the instructions that come up with your thermometer so y'all can refer dorsum to them for questions like this. Make clean whatsoever thermometer before and after you lot utilise it. You can use soap and water or booze to make clean the tips of digital thermometers. Y'all should rinse afterward with lukewarm water.

If you are using ane thermometer as a rectal thermometer, brand certain to make clean it thoroughly and label information technology. Store information technology in a fashion that you can tell immediately that it is the rectal and not the oral or axillary thermometer.

Check the directions, but ear and forehead tips may exist swiped with alcohol. The bottom office, the handles, may be cleaned with tougher disinfectants. Yet, make certain you use h2o to wipe off the disinfectant so information technology does no damage to the handle or to your hands.

If your thermometer comes with a case to protect it, store your thermometer in the case.

Keep your thermometer (or thermometers) in a dry place that is easy to discover and that is not exposed to drastic changes in temperatures.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

If you have questions about how to take a temperature, phone call your provider. They can requite you lot tips on what's the best type of thermometer for your family and the best way to take your temperature or your child's temperature. This is a skillful time to inquire things like how often you lot should recheck temperatures or if you should do anything to endeavour to reduce the fever.

Call your healthcare provider right abroad if anyone in your household has a fever and any of the following:

Severe headache.
Stiff neck.
Swelling of the throat.
Confusion.
Any alter that worries y'all.

Remember, you and your healthcare provider act together to keep y'all and your family members good for you. They volition be glad to answer questions nearly what thermometers are best, how they should be used and which numbers are important to go on track of. While a fever may be scary, it'southward as well trying to tell you something. Your provider is your partner in knowing what is being said and how to respond.