Measure fever correctly

Does the child have a fever? There are several ways to measure the temperature: in the buttocks, in the ear, in the mouth, on the forehead or under the armpit, there are various thermometers for this. Not everyone is equally good

Hot forehead: Parents should pay attention to the right method when measuring fever

Fever – when to the doctor?

That is fever: from 37.5 degrees Celsius one speaks of an elevated temperature, fever starts at 38.1 degrees Celsius, a child has a high fever from 40 degrees Celsius.
To the doctor: "The younger the child, the earlier they should see a pediatrician", recommends Julia Bark, pharmacist from Kaiserslautern. And whenever the child is visibly bad, tired and indifferent, drinks nothing or not enough, has pain, skin changes or if the fever has not decreased after two days.
Well prepared: "Document the measured values during fever measurement over a few hours. This provides the doctor with important information", advises the pharmacist.

Measurement in the buttocks, in the mouth or in the armpit with the contact thermometer

Application: For infants and toddlers, pediatricians recommend that the temperature be determined rectally, i.e. in the anus. "You measure close to the core of the body, the error rate is very low", says pharmacist Julia Bark. Cream the tip lightly and gently insert the thermometer 2 cm deep into the bottom. Leave there until the value stops increasing or until the beep. After the measurement, rinse with warm water and a little soap, disinfect in case of gastrointestinal infections.

In the sublingual measurement, the thermometer is placed as far back as possible in the mouth and under the tongue. It is more suitable for larger children and adults. These should not be hot or cold in the last half hour before the measurement; that could distort the result.

The measurement in the armpit is comparatively inaccurate. It only measures the temperature of the skin, the fluctuations can be large in some cases. It also takes a relatively long time.

Suitable for: The rectal (in the anus) measurement is suitable for all age groups, from babies to schoolchildren. The oral (in the mouth) or axial (in the armpit) measurement method is only recommended from preschool age onwards, because the child must actively participate and keep still for longer.

Functionality: Contact thermometers are available in two versions that work differently:

So-called expansion thermometer are made of glass and have a measuring scale. Inside is a tube filled with the colored substance Galinstan, which expands under the influence of body heat. Unlike mercury, which was used earlier, it is non-toxic.
Digital clinical thermometer made of plastic contain an electrical sensor that detects the temperature. Body heat changes the electrical resistance of the sensor. This is evaluated by an electronic circuit. When the measurement is complete, an acoustic signal sounds and the measured value appears on the display.

Accuracy: Both thermometers measure very precisely. The approval authorities only allow a deviation of up to 0.1 degrees Celsius from the actual value. However, the measurement result also depends on how skilled the user is and where the measurement is made.

Benefits: Inexpensive to buy: glass thermometer approx. 7 to 12 euros; digital thermometer 2 to 7 euros; Replacement batteries cost extra. Both thermometers can be easily cleaned and disinfected.

Glass thermometers are immediately ready for use. Also suitable for patients with nickel contact allergy.
Digital thermometers measure within seconds (approx. 30 to 60 seconds, some faster) and are particularly suitable for restless babies or toddlers. Some models store up to ten measurements. Some have a pleasantly soft tip.

Disadvantage: Glass thermometers can break, have a solid tip, and measuring takes patience (about five minutes). Digital clinical thermometers require a battery.

Measurement in the ear with the ear thermometer

Application: The measuring tip of the thermometer is carefully inserted into the ear canal. The sensor should be aligned precisely with the eardrum so that the measurement is reliable. In the case of infants and young children, the auricle must be pulled back slightly.

Suitable for: Infants from six months at the earliest, before that the ear canal is still too narrow. Children who do not tolerate rectal measurement.

Functionality: An infrared sensor measures the heat radiation from the eardrum. The ear temperature is close to the actual core body temperature because of the proximity to the blood circulation of the brain. The measured value is shown digitally on a display.

Accuracy: Good to medium. A deviation of up to 0.3 degrees from the actual value is permitted. The quality of the measurement depends on the experience of the person who is measuring. "Let the pediatrician show you how to use it", says Julia Bark. If the thermometer is not positioned exactly, the result can weigh parents with false certainty. The little patient should not lie on each ear before measuring, as this can distort the result.

Benefits: Measurement in a few seconds, the measuring point is easily accessible. Quite hygienic thanks to protective cap that is changed after each measurement. Some devices store several previous measurements. Or the results can be managed via an app.

Disadvantage: The difficult handling for laymen (except for devices that indicate with light and beep if the position is correct). The measurement accuracy depends on the anatomy of the ear. The child has to keep still. Unsuitable for ear infections. The price: around 45 euros.

Measurement on the forehead with the forehead thermometer

Application: Depending on the design of the device, the sensor is gently rolled over the forehead or attached below the temple. Some devices work without skin contact.

Suitable for: All ages.

Functionality: An infrared sensor measures the temperature on the forehead or temple, a second sensor measures the ambient temperature. From this, the device calculates the body temperature.

Accuracy: Moderate, deviations of up to 0.3 degrees from the actual value are permitted. With non-contact measurement, the results are less reliable.

Benefits: Result within a few seconds. You can measure fever while the child is sleeping. Hygienic, since measurements are not taken in body openings.

Disadvantage: Low measuring accuracy depending on the device. It is relatively expensive (30 to 70 euros).

Special thermometer

Bluetooth adhesive pad

For small patients, whose body temperature has to be constantly monitored, the Bluetooth variant with an adhesive pad can be a solution. Here, a plastic pad, which looks like a large plaster, is glued to the skin under an armpit. The associated control unit is positioned a few meters away. Plastic pads like control units need to be at room temperature for at least five minutes "used" before the first measurement can be taken. It lasts eight minutes.

pacifier thermometer

An integrated sensor in the teat measures the temperature in the mouth and displays the value digitally. "However, the measurements are very inaccurate and the child has to keep the pacifier in his mouth for about five minutes continuously", says pharmacist Julia Bark.

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