When is a temporal thermometer reading high

But the temperature readings vary depending on which one you use, and you need an accurate body temperature to determine if a fever is present. Medical research hasn't determined an exact correlation between oral, rectal, ear, armpit, and forehead temperature measurements.

Generally, the correlation of temperature results are as follows:. When you talk with your doctor about your temperature, be sure to say what method was used to take the temperature.

The temperature comparison table below will give you the range of temperature correlation with the different methods used to take a temperature.

For information about taking accurate temperatures in infants and children, see the topic Body Temperature. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. This consistency in application is viewed as more important than the need for adjusting temperature scales. Currently, arterial temperature measurement leads all other methods in identifying fever and temperature change. The method is unaffected by activities of daily living, and while it will sometimes reflect different temperatures from other methods, it is still accurate in its measurement.

A fever can be declared when your temporal artery thermometer registers a temperature of You should not experience large discrepancies in readings; however multiple scans occurring in succession may cool the surface area of the forehead and result in subtle differences. You may need to clean your unit. Another common error occurs when the scan button is released too soon.

Exergen forehead thermometers need to scan the entire temporal artery from center forehead to ear, with the user holding the scan button down the entire time. Releasing this button too soon can result in an inaccurate and often lower reading. During a fever, the body may attempt to lower its temperature naturally through sweating, which also causes extra cooling of the skin. As a result, you may see a reading that is too low. You may choose to wait until the sweating has stopped, or use a different scanning method also proven to provide accurate results.

Please know that wiping the forehead to remove or dry sweat before taking a reading is not recommended as the sweating will immediately begin again. Twirl an alcohol-moistened Q-Tip directly on the lens located in the center of the probe head. This preventive maintenance should be done routinely, every few weeks.

Please be sure to wait five minutes to let the infrared sensor recalibrate from the coldness of the alcohol cleaning before using your unit. Exergen TAT thermometer are sensitive to ambient temperature.

The LO message indicates that the ambient temperature of the unit is not the same the individual whose temperature is being taken. No need for concern, just let the thermometer adjust to your current setting, and the indicator should clear.

Exergen thermometers Temporal Thermometers. Fever in children younger than 3 months can be signs of an infection and, if ignored or untreated, it can lead to brain damage if it reaches degrees. If you are unsure about the health of your child, contact your pediatrician. Sign in. Forgot your password?

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Thermometers: Understand the options Thermometers come in a variety of styles. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Yamanoor NS, et al.

Cherry JD, et al. Fever: Pathogenesis and treatment. Elsevier; Accessed Oct. Mercury thermometers. Environmental Protection Agency. Ward MA. Fever in infants and children: Pathophysiology and management.

How to take your child's temperature. American Academy of Pediatrics. Mogensen CB, et al.