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Thermometers
Mercury-filled, glass tube thermometers are
still the standard for measuring body temperature,
and they are used by doctors and pediatricians
everywhere to check for a chill or fever.
This type of thermometer is very inexpensive,
and with a little soap and warm water, can
be cleaned for the next user. However, other
thermometers are available that offer faster
measuring and greater convenience in reading.
Ear thermometers
Many hospital emergency rooms
use hand-held
ear thermometers, which can take
accurate
temperature readings from the
ear. They can
take the measurement in just
a second and
are battery powered. A disposable
lens cover
prevents ear wax contamination
between users.
These are quick and convenient,
but can cost
about five times more than other
thermometers.
Mouth (oral) thermometers
Electronic versions of the old
style mouth
thermometer have a long probe
the sits under
the tongue. They usually beep
when the temperature
reading reaches its maximum (in
about 30
seconds), and a digital readout
shows the
temperature for easy reading.
These units
can be also be used under the
arm, or even
rectally.
Special pediatric thermometers
A pediatric thermometer looks
like a pacifier
and can repeatedly take the baby's
temperature
over a 25 minute period. A musical
tune alerts
the parents when the temperature
reading
indicates a fever, though a digital
readout
also shows the results.For convenience
at
night or working around the house,
a remote
sensor is employed in a new style
monitor
(like an audio baby monitor)
allowing you
to monitor your baby's temperature
from another
room. The remote unit beeps or
plays a tune
to advise you that your baby's
temperature
has risen. A note of caution:
reviews for
these units have not been good,
mostly complaining
about accuracy.
Temporal scan (forehead) and
no-contact thermometers
Using the same technique that
your mother
did by placing the back of her
hand on your
forehead when you were sick,
temporal scan
and no-contact thermometers measure
the blood
temperature in the forehead and
are at least
as accurate as an ear thermometer.
The no-contact
variants don't even have to touch
the skin.
These units are great for not
disturbing
sleeping babies, but are expensive. |
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