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Thermometer basics: Taking your child's temperature

Thermometer choices got you baffled? Understand the different thermometer options — and when to seek medical help for a fever.

By Mayo Clinic staff

If your child feels warm or seems under the weather, it's probably time to take his or her temperature. Sounds simple enough — but if you're new to it, you might have questions. Which type of thermometer is best? Are thermometer guidelines different for babies and older children? Here's what you need to know to take your child's temperature.

Thermometer options

A glass mercury thermometer was once a staple in most medicine cabinets. Today, mercury thermometers are no longer recommended because they can break and allow mercury to vaporize and be inhaled. When choosing a thermometer, consider these options:

  • Digital thermometers. These thermometers use electronic heat sensors to record body temperature. They can be used in the rectum (rectal), mouth (oral) or armpit (axillary). Armpit temperatures, however, are typically the least accurate of the three.
  • Digital ear thermometers (tympanic membrane). These thermometers use an infrared ray to measure the temperature inside the ear canal. Keep in mind that earwax or a small, curved ear canal can interfere with the accuracy of an ear thermometer temperature.
  • Digital pacifier thermometer. Your child simply sucks on the pacifier until the peak temperature is recorded.
  • Temporal artery thermometers. These thermometers use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead.

Safety tips

Whatever type of thermometer you use, carefully read the instructions that come with it. Before and after each use, clean the tip of the thermometer with rubbing alcohol or soap and lukewarm water.

If you plan to use a digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature, get another digital thermometer for oral use. Label each thermometer, and don't use the same thermometer in both places.

For safety — and to make sure the thermometer stays in place — never leave your child unattended while you're taking his or her temperature.

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References
  1. How to take your child's temperature. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://patiented.aap.org/content.aspx?aid=6368. Accessed Sept. 6, 2012.
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  4. Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed Sept. 6, 2012.
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  8. Braun CA. Accuracy of pacifier thermometers in young children. Pediatric Nursing. 2006;32:413.
  9. Haddad L, et al. Comparison of temporal artery and axillary temperatures in healthy newborns. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing. 2012;41:383.
  10. Penning C, et al. Is the temporal artery thermometer a reliable instrument for detecting fever in children? Journal of Clinical Nursing. 2011;20:1632.
  11. Lee G, et al. Accuracy of temporal artery thermometry in neonatal intensive care infants. Advances in Neonatal Care. 2011;11:62.
  12. Sullivan JE, et al. Fever and antipyretic use in children. Pediatrics. 2011;127:580.
  13. Schmitt BD. Pediatric Telephone Protocols. 13th ed. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2011:1.
  14. Davie A, et al. Best practice in the measurement of body temperature. Nursing Standard. 2010;24:42.
  15. Fever and your child. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://patiented.aap.org/content.aspx?aid=5107. Accessed Sept. 7, 2012.
  16. Stine CA, et al. Rectal versus axillary temperatures: Is there a significant difference in infants less than 1 year of age? Journal of Pediatric Nursing. 2012;27:265.
  17. Krych EH (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 12, 2012.
  18. Quatrara B, et al. The effect of respiratory rate and ingestion of hot and cold beverages on the accuracy of oral temperatures measured by electronic thermometers. MedSURG Nursing. 2007;16:105.
  19. Ytterberg KL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 19, 2012.
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