Under which hand to measure the temperature of an adult. How to determine an elevated temperature if there is no thermometer at hand

Biologically, man is a warm-blooded creature. This means that in order to ensure the normal course of physiological processes in the body, it needs to maintain body temperature in a fairly narrow range. On average, it is +36.4 ... +36.8 degrees. An increase in this temperature by only half a degree means that the body's defenses have entered the battle with an infectious invasion, or there is a serious violation of the functioning of a vital organ, and inflammation is developing. also indicative of pathology. Thus, measuring a person's body temperature is a basic procedure for determining whether the body's systems are working correctly and whether it is healthy.

Where to measure

In "good" condition human body temperature is constant and independent of environment. Despite this, human organs and tissues have different temperatures. If the skin is healthy at +29.5, then the liver is at +38. On the contrary, the brain has the most constant and stable thermal regime. However, the body temperature measurement technique should show a value that is closest to the thermal state of the internal organs.

This is achievable with rectal when the measuring element of the thermometer is inserted into the rectum. But with diarrhea, constipation and critical days in women, the obtained values ​​differ significantly from the real ones. Also, this method of measurement is contraindicated in diseases of the rectum.

The most familiar to us measurement of body temperature is in the armpit. The obtained values ​​are less than during rectal measurement by half a degree and are +36.5...+37.0.

In the United Kingdom and the United States, body temperature is taken orally (in oral cavity). To do this, place the measuring element of the thermometer under the tongue. Here the temperature is higher than in the armpit, by 0.3 degrees. Measurements lose their accuracy with inflammation in the oral cavity and respiratory diseases. This method is not suitable for small children due to the danger of injury.

Also, the "mother's method" familiar to everyone (putting the palm to the forehead) has found its application in modern infrared technology.

Finally, rarely, but the temperature in the ear canal is measured, for which all the same infrared thermometers are used. Inflammation in the ear distorts the readings.

How to measure

Despite the fact that the world is gradually abandoning mercury thermometers for obvious reasons, they are still among the leaders in terms of "price - measurement accuracy" ratio. They can be used for axillary, oral and rectal measurements (the last two with caution) and are easy to disinfect. You will have to wait 10 minutes to get the result.

Safely and very quickly measure the temperature (they are also called digital). But they are sensitive to humidity, unlike a glass thermometer, they give an error of 0.1-0.2 degrees, cheap models cannot be disinfected, the battery may run out at the most crucial moment.

A relative novelty is the measurement of body temperature with infrared thermometers. The most advanced of them do not require disinfection at all due to non-contact measurement. Ideal for children, as they can stay undressed, receive temperature readings from sleeping people, and all this in a matter of seconds. However, just like electronic ones, they have an error and are very expensive.

For very young children, a digital thermometer was invented to measure body temperature in It gives the desired values ​​within 3-5 minutes.

There are also thermal strips based on a sensitive film. However, they do not give an exact figure, they simply show the limits in which the temperature is. The indications are affected by skin sweating and the tightness of the thermal strip to the body.

If the measurement of body temperature turns out to be inaccurate, then perhaps it is not the devices that are to blame, but people who did not bother to read the instructions for use before using.

Good day, dear readers!

In this article, we will consider with you the question - how to measure body temperature. We will also learn how to measure temperature, and what rules exist to measure body temperature correctly. So…

Body temperature- an indicator of the thermal state of the body, which displays the ratio between the heat generated by various organs and tissues, heat exchange between them and the external environment.

Why measure temperature?

normal temperature body for most people is from 36.5 to 37.2 ° C, however, if you have some deviations from the generally accepted 36.6 ° C, but you feel great at the same time, this is exactly your indicator. The exceptions are deviations of more than 1-1.5°C. Such temperature deviations may indicate any pathological processes in the body, for example, it may indicate that it has entered the body. To protect itself from it, the immune system raises the body temperature and keeps it at a high level, thereby destroying the pathogenic microflora inside the body. body may indicate that a person has been long time in the cold, while the clothes from the cold were not carefully chosen.

In both the first and second cases, if a person feels unwell or some kind of discomfort inside himself, one of the main methods for diagnosing a state of health is to measure body temperature.

How to measure body temperature?

To measure body temperature (thermometry), special devices are used - thermometers, or as they are also called - thermometers.

Thermometer- an instrument used to measure temperature. The mercury thermometer, in the form in which we recognize it, was invented by Gabriel Fahrenheit, back in 1723. Along with the thermometer, he suggested using his own scale for temperature readings, which is still used today - the Fahrenheit (°F) scale. However, in the territory former USSR, another temperature unit is used - Celsius (°C), and therefore, in this article we will consider the temperature in degrees Celsius.

Medical thermometers (thermometers) are of 2 main types:

• Mercury thermometer;
• Digital thermometer;

mercury thermometer

Mercury thermometer (thermometer) It is a tube made of glass, sealed at both ends, inside of which, in a vacuum, another tube is placed, in which mercury is located. One of the ends of the thermometer has a metal rounded tip, with which you need to apply the thermometer to a place on the body, for example, in the armpit. Inside the thermometer there is a scale that displays the measure of the measured heat - the Celsius scale (°C). Usually, the thermometer has marks from 34 ° to 42 ° C, in increments of 0.1 ° C. When we apply a thermometer to the body, mercury rises up the scale, and after a couple of minutes it stops at the indicator that displays the surface temperature of the measured place. To reuse a mercury thermometer, you need to shake it several times to bring down the indicator of the previous measurement. By itself, mercury does not return to its original position.

Mercury thermometers have one big drawback - they are made of glass. A broken mercury thermometer is not uncommon. And the mercury itself dangerous substance that can cause irreversible harm to human health if it is in the open state. Mercury has been active for decades, constantly releasing vapors into the air. It is impossible to throw broken mercury thermometers into the trash, they must be handed over to special institutions for further disposal. The possibility of breaking glass, mercury and the further disposal of the thermometer from year to year are increasingly replacing this type of thermometer from human life. They were replaced by electronic (digital) thermometers.

Digital thermometer

Digital thermometers- electronic devices made in the form of various small devices on which there is a digital display showing the temperature indicator.
Digital thermometers from year to year are increasingly gaining the trust of people, replacing conventional mercury thermometers, which we talked about a little higher. Digital thermometers also have various subtypes, which is especially convenient in various cases where it is not possible to use a standard mercury thermometer.

Digital thermometers have a number of advantages:

• some digital thermometers can make an instant (express) temperature measurement: in just a few seconds (from 2 to 10 seconds) of contact of the device with the body, it will show the temperature;
• there are non-contact infrared thermometers that take measurements without having to put the device on a person;
• Some digital thermometers come in a variety of shapes that allow you to safely measure temperatures in areas such as the ears, forehead, mouth, vagina, and rectum.
• digital thermometers usually have a memory for several measurements, which makes it easier to keep track of temperature fluctuations.

What do you need to know before taking a measurement?

Body temperature varies depending on:

Measurement locations. When measuring temperature on the surface of the skin (forehead, muscle cavities), the temperature indicator will be lower than when measuring it inside the body (oral cavity, vagina, anus). We'll talk more about this a little later.

Time of day. Daily temperature fluctuations can vary up to 0.6 °C. Usually, in the morning - from 3 to 6 in the morning, subject to rest, a person's temperature is low, for example, if the normal figure is 36.6 ° C, in the morning it can be 36.0 ° C. In the evening, from 17:00 to 21:00, subject to daily human activity, the temperature may rise by some value.

Physical activity of a person. With abundant physical activity, body temperature may rise slightly.

Ovulation period. During ovulation, in women, the temperature can increase by 0.6-0.8 ° C from the normal value.

Ambient temperatures. In hot weather, the temperature can rise by 0.1-0.5 °C. Very important in hot weather prevent .

age. According to statistics, the older a person is, the lower his normal body temperature becomes. IN childhood, it is usually higher.

Where should the temperature be measured?

The most accurate indicator of body temperature can be obtained by measuring it rectally - in the anus. The normal body temperature in the anus is between 36.2 °C and 37.7 °C.

Vaginal measurement of body temperature, in comparison with the rectal method, already gives an error - from 0.1 ° C to 0.3 ° C.

Oral body temperature values ​​differ by 0.3°C - 0.8°C. Oral measurement can be taken behind the cheek (buccal method) or under the tongue (sublingual method). The readings under the tongue are more accurate.

Axillary temperature measurement (axillary method) is practically the only clinical method for measuring temperature. A rarer case is the inguinal measurement, when, as in the case of the armpit, the thermometer is clamped between the leg and inguinal region. Deviations between the temperature in the anus (rectal measurement) and in the armpit (axillary measurement) can be from 0.5 °C to 1.5 °C. True, this large gap is observed only in adults, while in children, the difference is much less.

1. If you are using a mercury thermometer to measure body temperature, shake it to mercury column was 35°C or less.

If the thermometer is electronic, the temperature is reset by the reset button, or in automatic mode, when the device is turned on.

2. Examine if there are any chafing, swelling, pain in the armpit of the patient. If these signs are observed, then the measurement is carried out in another place.

3. The thermometer, with a narrow end, is placed in the armpit and pressed by hand in such a way that the mercury reservoir is completely covered by the skin surface from all sides.

If you are going to measure the temperature in mucosal areas (oral cavity, vagina, anus), be sure to disinfect the thermometer before the procedure!

4. The time for measuring temperature with a mercury thermometer is 10 minutes (in the armpit), 5 minutes (vagina, rectum), 1 minute - in the oral cavity. At this time, it is necessary to sit or lie quietly, holding the thermometer so that it does not fall out.

Electronic devices can set the body temperature in a few seconds. This is especially true if you are measuring small children.

5. After 10 minutes, the thermometer is removed and the temperature is recorded, writing it down in the patient's medical history sheet. In some cases, temperature marks are plotted on a graph as points, which are then connected by a line.

6. After measurement, the thermometer is disinfected for 5 minutes in a vessel with a 2% solution of chloramine, then washed cold water, dried and stored in a dry state in a special tube.

Measurement of body temperature (thermometry) is carried out 2 times a day - in the morning (on an empty stomach), from 6 to 9 in the morning and in the evening (before meals), from 17:00 to 19:00. If the patient has a fever, thermometry is carried out every 2-3 hours.

Safety regulations!

Once again, I want to draw your attention, dear readers, that mercury is a dangerous substance that open form throws into the air poisonous vapors that can provoke such dangerous diseases as -.

Based on this:

1. Keep mercury thermometers out of the reach of children.

2. Supervise the process of taking the temperature of children so that they do not fidget and fall asleep with a thermometer, so that they do not crush it or drop it.

3. Do not let children bring down the temperature on the thermometer on their own, so that they do not let go of it.

4. Store the mercury thermometer in special tubes.

5. If a mercury thermometer breaks, call the health department or local government to find out where you can take it.

Temperature is one of the most important indicators, because it reflects the state of a person. Fine temperature values fluctuate between 35.5-37 degrees. If they are below or above this level, then it is customary to talk about the development of pathological processes in the body. But in order for the indicators to show the correct result, you need to know how to measure the temperature correctly.

Not all patients understand how to measure temperature correctly. The correct value of the thermometer depends on how the measurement is made. In practice, there are three main methods:

1. rectal. The measurement is carried out by direct insertion of a thermometer into the rectum;
2. oral. The temperature is measured in the oral cavity;
3. axillary. Measurements are taken in the armpit.

It should be noted that the value of temperature indicators will vary significantly. If you measure body temperature in the armpit, then its value will be 36.2-36.7 degrees. When measuring temperature in the rectum, normal readings will be in the range of 37.3-37.7 degrees. If you measure body temperature by the oral method, then its value will reach 37.1-37.5 degrees.

For the procedure, you will need a mercury or electronic thermometer.

Temperature measurement by rectal method

This method involves the introduction of a thermometer into the rectum by about one to two centimeters. If the calculations are made in adults, then you need to enter the thermometer five to six centimeters deep. This method is considered the most accurate, since the rectal area is a closed space. Often it is used in children under five years of age. The use of the rectal method has several indications in the form of:

• determination of basal temperature in the female half of the population;
• finding the patient in an unconscious state;
• the presence of diseases in which the temperature persists long time;
• lack of body weight;
• the presence of skin lesions in the armpit.

There are also contraindications for the use this method in the form of constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, proctitis.
How to measure temperature correctly mercury thermometer using this method? The patient should be placed on the side with the knees bent. If the procedure is done to a child, then it must be laid on the back and legs raised up.

Before proceeding with the manipulations, the thermometer must be disinfected with antiseptic agents. Then smear it with oil or baby cream and gently insert it into the rectum for one or two centimeters. Then firmly press the buttocks.

How long does it take to get results? Average duration temperature measurement is four to five minutes.

You can also measure the temperature with a mercury or electronic thermometer in the oral cavity. Measurements are taken under the tongue or behind the cheek. This method is considered to be convenient and effective. It has a wide distribution in Western countries. But the oral method has several contraindications in the form of the presence of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity or nasal congestion.

To determine the temperature, you can not measure it after drinking cold or hot food. The thermometer must be disinfected before use. Then place it in the oral cavity as far as possible.

How many minutes does it take to get the result? The result when using this method will show in five minutes. If the measurement is carried out with an electronic thermometer, then in thirty to forty seconds it will notify itself.

This method is considered the most common method of measurement. Although it does not give the most accurate results, it is very popular among people. Temperature calculations are made in the armpit.

To carry out the procedure, you must follow the required rules:

• measure temperature thirty to forty minutes after taking a bath or intense physical exertion;
• the skin in the armpit must be dry and clean;
• use non-working hand when measuring.

To carry out these manipulations, you need to shake the thermometer to a value of 35 degrees. Then wipe its tip dry with a towel and place it in the armpit. Press your hand firmly.

How long does it take to keep a mercury thermometer? It is believed that after five to six minutes you can evaluate the result. But there are time limits for accurate readings, so you should wait about ten minutes.

Temperature measurement in children

The most difficult thing is to measure the temperature of young children. After all, they cannot sit in one place for a long time. Therefore, many parents are interested in which thermometer is best to choose for calculating temperature indicators?

There are two main types:

• mercury;
• electronic.

Mercury thermometer is the cheapest and most affordable among the rest. It has been used for a long time, while it still has not lost its relevance. It has a number of advantages in the form of:

1. high measurement accuracy;
2. low price;
3. familiarity and ease of use;
4. the ability to measure temperature anywhere;
5. error exceptions.

But also a mercury thermometer has disadvantages in the form of:

• fragility;
• causing harm in case of damage;
• long measurement.

With a mercury thermometer, you should be extremely careful. Therefore, it is not recommended to give such things to children.
Electronic thermometers are gaining more and more popularity among people. This device is considered safer than a mercury thermometer. On top of all this, it quickly measures the temperature in any place.

But there is one significant disadvantage: it does not always give the correct information. Its values ​​usually differ from those on a mercury thermometer by about 0.3-0.5 degrees.

After the parent has decided how to measure the temperature, you need to choose a method. For children over five years old, the oral measurement method can be chosen. If the child is still very small, then it is better to carry out calculations in the rectum.

You can also use the armpit for measurement, but it is quite difficult for active children to perform the procedure.
In the West, another method of calculating temperature indicators is also used. They are carried out in the auricle. Only for this you need to use an infrared thermometer. It measures the temperature in a matter of seconds, but there is a possibility of an error in the big direction.

To measure the temperature in newborns and infants, it is recommended to use dummy thermometers. But in this case, the measurement is carried out only by the oral method, and not all children take pacifiers in their mouths.

You can use any method and choose for yourself more convenient and better. In order for the indicators to be accurate, it is necessary to follow the rules of use and measurement. It is best to have two thermometers in the first-aid kit at once: mercury and electronic. They can easily replace each other, while the electronic one will be safer, and the mercury one will be more accurate.

Elevated body temperature is often a reason to worry about your health. Often, different temperatures in the armpits introduce us into a stupor, and sometimes the difference in measurements is obvious. Why this happens, and under which armpit you need to measure the temperature, we will tell in this article.

Is there a different temperature under different armpits

In any disease, it is important to determine the body temperature as accurately as possible. A slight increase that does not last long is likely not to adversely affect health. It indicates that the body is fighting infection. But a prolonged increase in body temperature can indicate serious violations.

Normal human temperature ranges from 35.5 to 37.2 °C. The indicators change during the day, and the jumps do not at all indicate any problems in the body.

Regardless of the state of the person (he is healthy or sick), whether his temperature is elevated or it remains within the normal range, the indicators may differ. Many observe different temperatures under different armpits. This phenomenon is considered normal, and doctors advise not to focus on this.

The difference in indicators can be fixed by various types of thermometers: the most famous mercury, modern electronic or infrared, which are gaining popularity. The temperature that changes in different parts of the body (in the mouth, in the armpit, in the rectum) is different. What can we say about the difference in parameters in different armpits, especially since it is in the armpit that we get the most approximate result. The measurement method has gained the most popularity due to the simplicity and hygiene of use, and not the accuracy of the indicators.

Measurement difference between different armpits

The difference between measurements under different hands is sometimes well noticeable. On average, with thermometry, the difference between the sides is 0.1 - 0.3 degrees. In certain cases, the difference in the indicators obtained in different armpits can be half a degree. Doctors often do not see a danger here, and for their own reassurance, they advise asking to measure the temperature under different armpits from another person. It is likely that the second test subject will have different results under different hands. Doctors say such differences are not uncommon.

Under which armpit is it correct to measure the temperature

In order for thermometry to give the most accurate results, and we do not get a reason to once again worry about the state of our health, we should understand which side to measure the temperature from (right or left).

When various physical research health status on paired organs, preference is given to the non-working side. That is, right-handers should measure body temperature under the armpit on the left side, and left-handers - in the right armpit. Most often, increased indicators are obtained precisely in the working body, which can lead to a slight misunderstanding about the state of health. At the same time, if in the desired armpit there is any inflammatory process(for example, a boil), you need to measure the temperature from the side from which it is most accessible and does not cause discomfort. If a right-hander develops a furuncle under the left armpit, or if left hand plastered, thermometry should be carried out on the right side.

Reasons for differences in measurements

Under which armpit to measure the temperature, we have already figured out, now we will talk about some of the causes of the phenomenon. Neurologists have come up with a special name for this symptom - thermoneurosis. Sometimes this happens with experiences, emotional stress. Thermoneurosis can be caused by problems in the nervous autonomic system. Sometimes, this symptom manifests itself due to too much concern about the state of one's health.

The causes of different armpit temperatures may be the patient's wet hands, heavy sweating, excessive excitement. Symptoms may also indicate the possibility of further vegetative-vascular dystonia. To avoid VVD, it is necessary to strengthen immune system, take vitamins, engage in active walks on fresh air. If , this may indicate different serious illnesses. We advise you to read a separate article on this topic.

But the reasons different temperatures under different armpits can be more commonplace: transferred viral diseases, overheating, wet armpits. The latter factor is often the reason different results under both hands.

Therefore, before inserting a thermometer into the armpit, it must be wiped with a dry cloth. This will remove sweat and deodorant particles that can affect the accuracy of measurements.

Diseases can also be the cause of different temperatures under the arms. But this is the case if the difference in performance is large. For example, under one hand the measured temperature is normal (36.6), and under the other - elevated (38 degrees). In this case, a visit to the doctor is necessary. If the difference between the indicators is small, but you are very concerned about it, it is also better to contact a specialist who will conduct the necessary examination and convince you that there is no cause for concern.

In order to correctly determine the patient's diagnosis, the doctor must obtain correct and accurate information about the state of the patient's body.

Body temperature can tell a lot about health and well-being. The normal temperature of the human body is a variable value, it fluctuates under the influence of various factors from 36.3 to 37.5°C.

To accurately and reliably measure it, you need to follow certain rules. Everyone should know how to use various types thermometers, how much to measure the temperature.

How to choose a thermometer?

The duration of the temperature measurement depends on the type of thermometer. Pharmacies sell two types of thermometers that differ in the principle of operation: ordinary and familiar mercury, expensive and modern electronic. Both types have advantages and disadvantages. Mercury devices are familiar to every person from childhood, they do not lose popularity at the present time. Their main advantages are:

• low price;
• accurate temperature indicators;
• ease of use;
• exclusion of incorrect data with correct measurement;
• temperature measurement in several ways.

However, mercury thermometers are fragile and fragile; if handled carelessly, they are easily broken. Mercury spilled from a broken appliance can cause serious harm to human health. It also takes longer to measure temperature with a mercury thermometer than with an electronic one. The advantages of electronic devices are as follows:

• the ability to measure temperature in several ways;
• short measurement time;
• strength and safety.

But many people who use electronic thermometers note that the devices sometimes give unreliable temperature readings.

Methods for measuring body temperature

In both adults and children, body temperature is measured in three ways: axillary, oral, rectal. The most accurate temperature data can be obtained with rectal measurements, and the least accurate with axillary measurements. Normal body temperature with axillary, that is, axillary, measurement is 36.6°C, with rectal - 37.3 - 37.7°C, and with oral method - 37.1 - 37.5°C. It is possible to measure the temperature in the armpit, in the oral cavity, in the rectum with both a mercury and an electronic thermometer.

Measurement of body temperature by rectal method

At this method measuring thermometer is immersed through the anus into the rectum. This measurement is considered the most accurate and reliable, since the intestine, protected by the sphincter from external environment, is not subject to significant temperature fluctuations. Most often, the temperature is determined rectally in young children. In adults, it is recommended to measure the temperature by the rectal method in the following situations:

• when a person is in an unconscious state;
• to determine the onset of ovulation in women by basal temperature;
• with a significant deficiency of body weight;
• with skin diseases covering the armpits;
• with inflammatory reactions in the oral cavity;
• with subfebrile condition.

It is forbidden to measure the temperature rectally in the presence of hemorrhoids, difficult exit of feces, diarrhea, proctitis. Also, do not measure after being in hot tub, bath, sauna, after active physical training, as the temperature readings will be incorrect.

For a convenient measurement of rectal temperature, an adult is recommended to lie on his side, bend his knees and press his legs to his stomach. To determine the temperature of the baby, you can put him on his back on a horizontal surface and raise his legs.

Measurement of body temperature by oral method

With this method of measuring temperature, the thermometer is placed in the mouth so that the mercury capsule is under the tongue. In this way, body temperature is most often measured in Western clinics, at post-Soviet space doctors usually use the axillary option. Oral temperature measurement is recommended for children school age and teenagers, but babies are strictly prohibited.

Reckless kids can inadvertently bite through a mercury thermometer, swallow glass and mercury. It is also contraindicated to measure the temperature orally in case of respiratory diseases accompanied by nasal congestion, with inflammation in the oral cavity.

Axillary measurement

The simplest and most popular way to measure body temperature, in which the thermometer is placed in the armpit. It is this method that the vast majority of people use, although it cannot be called accurate and reliable.

It should be noted that incorrect axillary measurement results are most often observed when the procedure is performed incorrectly. Not only children, but also many adults do not know how to properly measure in the armpit, they carry out the procedure at their own discretion.

Proper use of a mercury thermometer

Every day, millions of people measure body temperature with a mercury thermometer, but rarely does anyone think about how to do it right. Many adults and children do not even know how many minutes the measurement procedure should take. There are certain rules that must be followed step by step when measuring temperature with a mercury thermometer in the armpit.

1. It is recommended to carry out the procedure in a room where the air temperature is not lower than 18°C, but not higher than 25°C.
2. The armpit should be dry. If the skin is damp, then sweat from it must be removed with a napkin or a clean cloth.
3. The thermometer should be shaken to bring the mercury down to 35°C on the scale.
4. Place the device in the armpit so that the mercury capsule fits snugly against the skin.
5. In order for the thermometer to hold well under the armpit and not slip out, the shoulder part of the arm must be pressed tightly against the body.
6. In the process of measuring temperature, you need to sit still, do not talk, do not move, do not eat.
7. The measurement time with a mercury thermometer is 10 minutes.

A sick person needs to measure the temperature with a mercury thermometer several times a day. It is advisable to do this every day at the same time: for example, at 10 am and 8 pm. It is useless to try to determine the body temperature after intense sports training, walking on the street, swimming in ponds, baths, saunas, showers, as the indicators will definitely be unreliable.

Also, do not carry out the procedure after stressful situation, nervous strain, dense food intake, since the temperature will certainly be elevated. In all of the above cases, you should wait half an hour, lie down quietly, relax, and then start measuring. If a person uses antipyretic medications, then at least 40 minutes should elapse between taking the medication and measuring the temperature.

Measure the temperature in the oral cavity with a mercury thermometer with extreme caution. One awkward movement of the jaws - toxic mercury appears on the tongue, and many small fragments glass. To correctly determine oral temperature, the following rules should be considered:

• before placing the thermometer in the oral cavity, it must be rinsed warm water and then wipe with any antiseptic;
• the device must be shaken so that the mercury is set at 35 ° C on the scale;
• the thermometer is inserted into the mouth so that the mercury capsule is located under the tongue;
• so that the thermometer does not fall out of your mouth, you need to close your lips, and slightly squeeze the device with your teeth;
• the measurement time with a mercury thermometer is 5 minutes.

Before measuring oral temperature, it is forbidden to smoke, drink hot tea or coffee, otherwise the readings will be incorrect.

Doctors advise to determine the rectal temperature with a mercury thermometer, since in this case it gives the most accurate and correct results. The thermometer is immersed in the rectum to a depth of no more than 2.5 centimeters. The measurement time is 8 minutes.

During the procedure, you need to lie still, so as not to bring down the indicators. After measuring, the thermometer is carefully removed from the anus. If the thermometer is alternately used by several people, then after each procedure it must be carefully treated with antiseptic substances.

Proper use of an electronic thermometer

Many people do not like that the measurement with a mercury thermometer takes too long. If you do not want to wait 10 minutes for the result, then you can use an electronic thermometer. At the end of the device is a sensor that sets the body temperature, on the panel there is a screen showing digital data. Measurement of axillary temperature with an electronic thermometer is carried out in the same way as with mercury.

The main thing is that the sensor fits snugly against the skin in the armpit. With a loose fit, the thermometer can show the temperature not of the body, but of the air in the room.

The instructions for the device say that you need to remove it from the armpit immediately after the beep. But for the reliability of the result, doctors recommend that patients keep the thermometer under their armpit for a few more minutes after the signal.

An electronic thermometer can measure the temperature orally. Moreover, it is enough to hold the device in the oral cavity for only a minute to get accurate and correct indicators.

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