How to take your temperature correctly: Hot topics on the Internet and scientific guide
Recently, with the epidemic of seasonal influenza and respiratory diseases, how to correctly measure body temperature has become one of the hot topics on the Internet. The following is a collection of hot content in the past 10 days (as of November 2023), combined with scientific methods to provide you with a practical guide.
1. Hot topics related to body temperature on the Internet
| Ranking | Topic keywords | heat index | Main discussion platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electronic thermometer error | 92,000 | Weibo/Xiaohongshu |
| 2 | Armpit vs oral temperature measurement | 78,000 | Zhihu/Douyin |
| 3 | Baby temperature measurement | 65,000 | Baby tree/Kuaishou |
| 4 | Body temperature changes after exercise | 53,000 | Station B/Tieba |
2. 5 key steps to correctly measure body temperature
1.Choose the right tool: According to WHO recommendations, electronic thermometers (error ±0.1°C) are better than mercury thermometers (which have been phased out).
| Temperature measurement tool | Best use case | Measurement time | normal range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral electronic thermometer | Adult daily monitoring | 30-60 seconds | 36.3-37.2℃ |
| Forehead thermometer | Screening in public places | 1-3 seconds | 35.8-37.8℃ |
| ear thermometer | Infant and toddler measurements | 1-2 seconds | 35.8-37.8℃ |
2.Standard measurement posture:
- Armpit temperature measurement: wipe off sweat and clamp the thermometer for 5 minutes
- Oral temperature measurement: Hold it under the tongue and close your mouth for measurement
- Rectal temperature measurement: special for infants and young children, apply lubricant and insert 1-2cm
3.Avoid distractions: Avoid eating, exercising, bathing, or hot and cold drinks 30 minutes before measurement.
4.Interpret the data correctly: There are obvious differences in body temperature in different parts, so it is recommended to fix the same measurement method.
| Measurement part | lower than core body temperature | Fever threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Rectum/ear canal | ±0℃ | ≥38℃ |
| oral cavity | 0.3-0.5℃ | ≥37.5℃ |
| armpit | 0.5-1℃ | ≥37.3℃ |
5.Keep records and track: It is recommended to make a body temperature change curve chart, especially for patients with persistent fever.
3. Precautions for special groups of people
1.infants: Prefer ear thermometer or rectal thermometer, avoid using forehead thermometer (large error).
2.elderly: The basal body temperature is low, and 37°C may already be a fever state.
3.menstruating women: After ovulation, the body temperature will increase by 0.3-0.5℃.
4. Analysis of common misunderstandings
1. Myth: Forehead thermometer data is the most accurate
Truth: Greatly affected by ambient temperature, suitable for screening rather than diagnosis
2. Myth: The higher the body temperature, the more serious the condition.
Truth: Judgment needs to be combined with other symptoms. Some viral infections only have a low fever.
3. Misunderstanding: If the mercury thermometer cannot be lowered below 35°C, the results will be affected.
Truth: Modern electronic thermometers don’t require this
Mastering the correct method of measuring body temperature can not only detect problems in time, but also avoid misjudgments caused by measurement errors. It is recommended that families keep two different types of thermometers and measure them twice a day at a fixed time during critical periods. If the fever persists for more than 3 days or the body temperature exceeds 39°C, you should seek medical treatment in time.
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