2006-11-02 08:19:37 · 10 answers · asked by Lisa H 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Electronic ear thermometers measure the tympanic temperature - the temperature inside the ear canal. Although they're quick, accurate, and easy to use in older children, electronic ear thermometers aren't as accurate for very young children as digital thermometers and are more expensive. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against using electronic ear thermometers for infants younger than 3 months.
Plastic strip thermometers (small plastic strips that you press against your child's forehead) may be able to tell you whether your child has a fever, but they aren't reliable for taking an exact measurement, especially in infants and children. If you need to know your child's exact temperature, plastic strip thermometers are not the way to go.
Forehead thermometers may be a reasonable alternative to ear thermometers, if your infant is younger than a year old. But they are not as accurate as oral or rectal digital thermometers.
Pacifier thermometers may seem convenient, but again, they're unreliable and shouldn't be used in infants younger than 3 months. They also require the child to keep the pacifier in the mouth for several minutes without moving, which is a nearly impossible task for most babies and toddlers.
The best way to measure a persons tempature is to use a digital thermometer rectally (the most accurate), orally, or under the arm.
2006-11-02 08:31:31 · answer #1 · answered by Kristin Pregnant with #4 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing is more accurate than a good ol' rectal thermometer. Next in line would be oral, then armpit, then ear.
2006-11-02 08:20:59 · answer #2 · answered by fantasticopinionsfree 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope...for the most accurate, you'd have to us the anal/rectal thermometer. The oral is the second most...ear is the third..etc
2006-11-02 08:20:50 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are good enough. Remeber you don't need to worry unless the temp is 100 or higher and any thermometer is going to show that
2006-11-02 08:21:54 · answer #4 · answered by keith s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
Mercury is "always" going to be more accurate. Likewise, mercury columns are always more accurate to take blood pressure.
2006-11-02 08:21:30 · answer #5 · answered by Raylene G. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ear thermomenters seem to work the best
2006-11-02 08:20:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I have heard they are not as accurate.
2006-11-02 08:20:28 · answer #7 · answered by Kyleontheweb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it would seem so in as much where ever you go in the medical world they are using them
2006-11-06 04:37:52 · answer #8 · answered by srracvuee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe a little off almost the same though
2006-11-02 08:20:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope they are that is what they use at my doctor's office.
2006-11-02 08:23:49 · answer #10 · answered by red.hammond 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋