Having a reliable medical thermometer at home can be incredibly helpful. The ability to accurately find out if someone has a fever gives you much-needed information about important next steps for their care.
There are many types of contact and contact-free thermometers to choose from. The ages of your household members, as well as personal preference, can help you determine which types to buy.
Like any other device in your home, it’s important to understand how your thermometer works. Not every type works the same way or is designed to provide the same temperature readings.
Guesswork is the last thing you want to rely on when someone is sick. Here’s an overview of medical thermometers, how to use them, and what their measurements mean.
Axillary thermometer readings can be 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than oral temperature readings (and may be the least reliable).
Temporal thermometer readings are often 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than oral temperature readings.
