How to Use a Thermometer?

What is a fever? A Fever is when the body temperature is hot and indicates there is infection in the body. Most of the time is good to have a fever because you are sweating all of the bacteria out. Is a natural way to get rid of bacteria. The normal temperature of a child is around 98.6 degrees F. oral. You must use a thermometer to find out if your child has fever. Sometimes your child head or body feels hot when touch and not have a fever. Therefore, to find out if they have a fever you need a thermometer.

How do you take a temperature? There is three ways to check if your child has a fever. You could use a digital thermometer to take temperature by rectum, mouth, or under the arm. Rectal temperature is said to be the most accurate to find out if your child has a fever. Never use a glass thermometer to take a rectal temperature. They sell probe covers at the store that are special plastic cover over the tip before taking a rectal temperature. Plastic cover is always thrown away after each use. Never use Vaseline or petroleum jelly. To make thermometer slide into the rectum use water soluble jelly like K-Y jelly on the tip of thermometer. Lay your baby belly-down on your lap or table. Put the tip of the thermometer no more than 1/2 inch into the rectum. Don't push in, it should slide easy. Hold the thermometer in place for one minute. The thermometer should beep after one minute. The temperature will show on the display. If it shows 100-100.5 degrees F by rectum your child has a fever. When finish wash the tip of thermometer with soap and warm water. Do not put the whole thermometer in water.

How to take mouth temperature? Do not let your child drink anything for 15 minutes. If your child can keep the thermometer under his tongue with his mouth closed then take it. If not is better to use another way. Put the thermometer under your child's tongue and have him closed his lips about one minute .The thermometer should beep after one minute. Your child's temperature should show on the thermometer. If temperature is over 99-99.5 degrees F by mouth, it is a fever.

How to check temperature under arm? Another way you could take temperature is under the arm. It may not give you the right temperature but you could ask your doctor. Dry under your child's under arm with a dry towel. Put the tip of the thermometer in the center of the armpit. Hold your child's elbow against the body. Do not let him moved. After the thermometer beeps and is over 100 degrees F take it again by rectum or mouth. The reason why is because the child might have a fever greater what it is.

If you are still not sure how to use a thermometer, have someone to help you or ask your doctor. You could also ask the pharmacist.