5 Types of Thermometer – Which is the most Accurate Thermometer for Humans?
Having a reliable medical thermometer at home is very helpful. The ability to accurately determine if a person has a fever provides the necessary information about important next steps in their care. There are various types of contact and non-contact thermometers used in the case of emergencies that you can choose from.
The ages of your family members, as well as personal preferences, can help you decide which types to buy. As with any other device in your home, it is important to understand how your thermometer works. Either, e-guides are available online to use a thermometer as the e-guides for other instruments are available online such as cynamed otoscope.
Following are some types of thermometer available in the market.
- Digital ear (tympanic) thermometer
A thermometer measures the temperature in the ear canal using infrared technology.
Here the: 0.5 ° F (0.3 ° C) to 1 ° F (0.6 ° C) higher than oral temperature measurements.
Benefits
These thermometers provide fast and correct readings and maybe better than oral or rectal thermometers, especially in children.
Drawbacks
- Due to the size of the ear canal, ear thermometers are not recommended for babies under 6 months.
- Must be positioned correctly to get accurate results.
- Obstacles like wax can leak out of the ear.
- They may not fit well in a small or curved ear canal.
- Forehead (temporal) thermometer
Forehead thermometers use electromagnetic sensors to gauge the temperature of the artificial temporal artery. They are called non-contact infrared thermometers by many users. Forehead thermometers that do not need physical contact are very popular in places like airports, stores, and stadiums. Forehead temperature measurements are approximately 0.6 ° C cooler than oral temperature measurements.
Benefits
- Temporary thermometers provide quick readings in seconds.
- They are easy to administer and can be used in babies, children, and adults.
- Several studies suggest that timed thermometers in babies can be as accurate as rectal thermometers and provide better readings than ear or armpit thermometers. However, these results are not conclusive and have been questioned in other studies.
Shortcomings
- Forehead thermometers must be positioned accurately and as per the manufacturer’s instructions, or they will not provide the correct reading.
- Measurements can be influenced by external factors such as drafts, wind, internal heat, and direct light.
- Wearing certain items such as hats or thick coats can cause to interrupt results.
- Application-based thermometer
Most free phone apps record the temperature of the environment, not the person. The phone applications that can be used to measure people’s temperatures are based on digital thermometers that are connected to the application through a Bluetooth connection.
Benefits
- Temperatures can be taken by mouth, on the go, or under the arm.
- They deliver measurements in 8-10 seconds.
- Some apps allow you to upload your anonymous temperature readings onto a health and weather map to alert local authorities to spikes in your geographic area.
- Some apps offer suggestions for the next medical steps based on measurement.
- Most applications allow you to record the temperature of multiple people.
Shortcomings
- Not all applications or thermometers that connect to an application are reliable. Some manufacturers have a better track record than others.
- Application-based thermometers can be much more expensive than digital thermometers without a Bluetooth connection.
- Pacifier thermometer
If your baby uses a pacifier, this is an easy way to get a temperature around.
Benefits
- Ease of use is the leading advantage of pacifier thermometers.
Shortcomings
- The pacifier thermometers should remain in the mouth for up to 6 minutes without moving. They also provide an approximation of the temperature rather than an accurate measurement.
- Mercury thermometer (liquid in glass)
Mercury thermometers were the only option available for temperature measurement. For security reasons, they are no longer widely available and may be illegal even if you are alive.
Benefits
- Mercury thermometers provide accurate temperature readings and can be used orally, correctly, or under the arm.
- You don’t need batteries.
Drawbacks
- Since mercury thermometers are made of glass, they can easily break and release toxic mercury.
- They can also cause glass breakage or fragments if they break.
- Mercury thermometers, as they contain a dangerous substance, must be disposed of properly and disposed of.
- They can be difficult to read and should remain in place for 3 minutes to check accurate result.
Which type of thermometer gives more authentic results and why?
The best thermometer is the most comfortable and right one to use. It is also useful if your thermometer is from a reputable manufacturer. Rectangular thermometers are still considered by many medical professionals to be the gold standard for babies and children. However, mouth and forehead measurements are often very reliable even in these age groups.
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