How To Take Your Temperature

Oral and ear temps are also accurate if done properly.

How to take your temperature. If you ve been eating or drinking wait 30 minutes before you take a temperature by mouth. Close your mouth around the thermometer for the recommended amount of time or until the thermometer beep indicates it s done. To take a temporal temperature push down on the button to turn it on. More on this topic for.

Use the back of your hand since the skin on your palm isn t as sensitive as these other areas. Swipe the thermometer from one temple to the other and behind the ear until it beeps. Children ages 4 and above and adults can use oral thermometers. Rectal temps are the most accurate.

A thermometer ther mom uh ter is used to take your temperature in your mouth. A person should be 5 years or older to have a temperature taken in the mouth. A temperature measures body heat. Keep your mouth closed.

Feel the person s forehead or neck. The most common way to check for a fever without a thermometer is to feel the person s forehead or neck to see if it feels hotter than usual. A fever is a temperature over 100 4 degrees fahrenheit thum says. When you take your child s temperature pull the ear down and back.

Armpit temps are useful for screening at any age. Place the thermometer tip under your tongue. Never leave your child unattended while taking a temperature. Don t eat or drink anything for at least 5 minutes before you take your temperature.

Use a clean thermometer one that has been washed in cold water cleaned with rubbing alcohol and then rinsed to remove the alcohol. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. You can buy these over the counter at a pharmacy. Age under 3 months old 90 days old.

Temps done in the armpit are the least accurate. Put the tip of the thermometer under your tongue. Where to take the temperature. Forehead temps are the next most accurate.

Remove the thermometer and read the number. The only sure way to check for a fever is to use a thermometer. Do not eat or drink anything for at least five minutes before you take your temperature because the temperature of the food or beverage could make the reading inaccurate. Turn on the digital thermometer.

An oral temperature tem per ah chur is when the mouth is used to take your temperature. Never take your child s temperature right after a bath or if he or she has been bundled tightly for a while this can affect the temperature reading.