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Reading time: 2 minutes Babies and toddlers easily get infections and quickly get an elevated body temperature. Measuring fever is not always easy for children, especially the exact measurement method in the buttocks often feel uncomfortable. Do not torture your sick child, but choose the fever measurement method that you and your child find comfortable.

Measuring the right fever in children

When does a child have a fever

The body temperature is usually between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees. A body temperature of 38 degrees is a slightly elevated temperature and only from 38.5 degrees does the doctor speak of a fever. With a high fever of 40 degrees, it is advisable to see the pediatrician.

Measure thermometer for fever

Glass thermometers contain colored alcohol. You measure accurately, but it takes at least three minutes for the final temperature to be displayed. If the housing breaks, the child can easily be injured. Always shake the thermometer before use until the indicator is below 36 degrees.
Digital thermometers are robust and signal the end of the measuring process with a signal.

The ear thermometer uses infrared to measure the temperature in children. This is super fast, but handling is not easy.

Measure rectal fever

According to medical experts, rectal fever measurement provides the most accurate results. When children cramp, this method is not very pleasant. Place your baby on her lap or the toddler on her back. Cream the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly and insert it one to two centimeters deep. Hold the thermometer until the signal sounds.

Measure oral fever

This method of measuring fever is also quite accurate. Wash the thermometer with lukewarm water and soap and dry it. Shake the temperature down with glass thermometers. The tip of the instrument belongs under the tongue. The child closes the lips without biting. This usually only works for children from the age of five. Hold the thermometer until the signal sounds. If the nose is blocked by a cold in children, they prefer to choose another method.

Measure fever under the armpits

The most common method of measuring fever years ago is now considered inaccurate. You can also use it, however, the measured temperature is around 0.5 to 1 degree lower than the actual values. Make sure that the clinical thermometer lies quietly between the armpit and the upper arm. This measurement process takes around five to ten minutes. For lively toddlers, choose a different method.

Measure fever in the ear

Familiarize yourself with the ear thermometer well in advance of a disease and measure the temperature for yourself and the children according to the operating instructions. This works better if you enlarge the ear canal by slightly pulling the ear cups diagonally upwards. The infrared ray must hit the eardrum.

Often, this method is not suitable because of the narrow ear canal in babies and toddlers. Ear wax and otitis media falsify the measurement result. Studies confirm the opinion of many mothers that the measurements are unsatisfactorily inaccurate.

Measure fever on the forehead

Fever measurement in children with the forehead thermometer is still relatively unknown. Handling is easy, the sensor is placed on the forehead or temple. This works without problems even with a sleeping baby. According to the eco test, the thickness of the skin can falsify the result. Especially with very high fever, the measurement results of the practical forehead thermometer are unfortunately not very accurate.

Read how to lower fever in children with calf wraps.

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