Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Thermometers: Understand the options
Treatments and drugs (2)
- Fever treatment: Quick guide to treating a fever
- Fever: First aid
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Thermometers: Understand the options
Thermometers come in a variety of styles. Understand the different types of thermometers and how to pick the right thermometer for you.
By Mayo Clinic staffChoosing the thermometer that's best for your family can be confusing. Here's what you need to know about the most common thermometers.
Digital thermometers
Regular digital thermometers, which use electronic heat sensors to record body temperature, can be used in the rectum, mouth or armpit. The most accurate way to take a child's temperature is to use a digital thermometer rectally or orally. Rectal temperatures provide the best readings for infants. For older children and adults, oral readings are usually accurate — as long as the mouth is closed while the thermometer is in place. Armpit readings tend to be less accurate than rectal and oral readings.
- Pros. Most digital thermometers can record temperatures from the mouth, armpit or rectum — often in a minute or less. A digital thermometer is appropriate for newborns, infants, children and adults.
- Cons. Parents may worry about causing discomfort when taking a child's temperature rectally. If you or your child has been eating or drinking, you'll need to wait at least 15 minutes to take an oral temperature. If you plan to use a digital thermometer to take both oral and rectal temperatures, you'll need to get two digital thermometers and label one for oral use and one for rectal use. Don't use the same thermometer in both places.
Digital ear thermometers
Digital ear thermometers, also called tympanic thermometers, use an infrared ray to measure the temperature inside the ear canal.
- Pros. When positioned properly, digital ear thermometers are quick and accurate. Digital ear thermometers are appropriate for infants older than age 3 months, older children and adults.
- Cons. Digital ear thermometers aren't recommended for newborns. Earwax or a small, curved ear canal also can interfere with the accuracy of a temperature taken with a digital ear thermometer.
Digital pacifier thermometers
If your child uses a pacifier, you may want to try a digital pacifier thermometer. Your child simply sucks on the pacifier until the peak temperature is recorded.
- Pros. Your child may not even realize you're taking his or her temperature.
- Cons. Digital pacifier thermometers aren't recommended for newborns. For the most accurate reading, your child must hold the pacifier still in his or her mouth for about three to five minutes — which is difficult for many young children, particularly those who have nasal congestion. You may need to buy digital pacifier thermometers with different nipple sizes as your child grows.
(1 of 2)
- How to take your child's temperature. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://patiented.aap.org/content.aspx?aid=6368. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
- Shelov SP, et al. Caring For Your Baby And Young Child: Birth To Age 5. New York, N.Y.: Bantam; 2009:747.
- Holzhauer JK, et al. Evaluation of temporal artery thermometry in children 3-36 months old. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing. 2009;14:239.
- How to take a child's temperature. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/How-to-Take-a-Childs-Temperature.aspx. Accessed Feb. 12, 2010.
- Braun CA. Accuracy of pacifier thermometers in young children. Pediatric Nursing. 2006;32:413.
- Greenes DS, et al. Accuracy of a noninvasive temporal artery thermometer for use in infants. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 2001;155:376.
- Robinson JL. Body temperature measurement in paediatrics: Which gadget should we believe? Paediatrics & Child Health. 2004;9:457.
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