What You Need to Know About Thermometers

ByMed guard

Since childhood, we all have been noticing that whenever anyone from the family has an illness, the first thing that someone will do is check the affected person’s body temperature by using a thermometer. Well, you can still find the good traditional mercury-glass thermometer in most homes, but you also need to have an insight into how technology has made considerable strides in the healthcare world. This resulted in offering us various advanced thermometer options to choose from.

And why do you want to spend time searching and comparing different thermometer options online when you can get all you need here? We have compiled a list of the best thermometers available in the market to help you choose from. But first let us understand the five types of thermometers.

Understanding Different Types of Thermometers

  • Oral
  • Rectal
  • Forehead
  • Tympanic (ear)
  • Axillary (under the arm)

What type of thermometer is best for you depends on the patient’s age and personal preference. For example, for an infant, a forehead or tympanic thermometer would be a better option than an oral or rectal variant. This is because infants and kids are generally difficult to deal with. Invasive methods such as measuring the temperature via the rectum or mouth may get tricky in such cases. Of course, you can also get thermometers that are multipurpose.

Here is the complete details on the different kinds of thermometers that are great for measuring temperature:

1. Mercury Glass Thermometers

This type of thermometer used to be the most preferable, but now it is considered outdated. It is useful for measuring temperatures orally, rectally, or under the arm. The downside to the mercury glass thermometers is that they release mercury which is a toxic substance, and it can even break easily as the thermometers are made of glass.

2. Digital Thermometers

This electronic thermometer is a standard way of measuring the temperature at this time. Digital thermometer has no disadvantages as compared to a mercury glass thermometer. And with a digital display with a strong body, this thermometer is easy to read and safe to use.

3. Infrared Thermometers

As the name itself suggests, these thermometers use infrared technology to measure the heat of the surface. The significant benefit of an infrared thermometer is that it generates results instantly – within a matter of a few seconds. You can also get forehead and ear variants of infrared thermometers with easy-to-read display screens.

The non-contact infrared thermometer is the most useful to check the temperature without touching the patient’s body parts. So there is no need to sanitize the thermometers after every use. Non-contact infrared thermometers are very useful in times like COVID to check the temperature in mass quantities without touching people.

4. Basal Thermometers

These thermometers are specifically useful to measure slight temperature changes in a woman’s body, indicating ovulation. One needs to place these thermometers in the rectum or under the tongue of the woman. These are extremely sensitive thermometers and people rarely use this thermometer at home.

What Features Should You Check for in an Ideal Thermometer?

With various thermometers available in the market to choose from, how can one ensure that they pick the ‘right’ one? Well, let me inform you that there is no such thing as the ‘right’ thermometer to start with. Nevertheless, here is a list of must-haves that one should look for before buying one:

  • Convenience

Take into consideration the fact that who are you choosing one for? Because the thermometer that can be ideal for an infant might not be accurate for adults, or one for women might not be comfortable for men, etc. Seniors often have shaky hands, and in such cases, you need to choose a thermometer that is easy to handle and delivers accurate temperature readings clearly.

  • Accuracy

The most important factor you should check on while choosing a thermometer is its ability to provide accurate readings. No one wants to risk it when it comes to dealing with the wrong body temperature readings and the potentially dangerous consequences it may have. You should choose one that is scientifically tested for assuring accurate results.

  • Response Time

We all look for instant gratification in all walks of life, then why should there be any other way when it comes to healthcare? It is the area where time is one of the most crucial factors. So, pick a thermometer that gives temperature readings quickly.

  • Safety

As mentioned above, mercury glass thermometers can be hazardous as they are brittle to use. The thermometer you choose needs to be sturdy, safe to use, and ideally, should come in a plastic case. This will help you to keep it secure when not in use.

Conclusion

A thermometer is an essential and helpful tool in every first aid kit. But one needs to ensure that they are having the right type of thermometers in their first aid kits for various reasons. So, make sure you know which thermometer suits you and your loved ones.