When you feel sick, or when your baby seems sick, he is more likely to reach for the thermometer. Sometimes one of the first questions a healthcare provider asks is whether she has taken the patient’s temperature. You can choose medicine to lower your fever. If she does, it will usually take her some time to tell her when it will be safe to resume the medication. (This usually takes four to six hours.) Before taking another dose, check your baby’s temperature to see if she needs the medicine.
However, if the starting temperature is very high, you can check the temperature regularly, perhaps once or twice an hour. You can choose to check the temperature again if the drug doesn’t seem to work, for example, if the disease does not improve and you still have symptoms. The doctor can suggest times to raise the temperature, for example, morning and afternoon. It is necessary to monitor these temperatures to report. You have to keep a thermometer at home to check the temperature on regular basis same as many mothers keep a doctors’ Scope to look in ear at home.
The following types of thermometers offer different options for measuring temperature.
Using a digital thermometer
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
- Use a clean thermometer washed in cold water, wiped with alcohol, and then rinsed to remove the alcohol.
- Do not eat or drink anything for at least five minutes before increasing the temperature, as the temperature of the food or drink may be inaccurate. During this time, you must keep your mouth closed.
- To check the temperature, you need to place a thermometer under your tongue
- Keep the thermometer in the same place for about 40 seconds.
- Measurements continue to increase and the F (or C) symbol flashes during measurement.
- The beep thermometer will usually be after the last measurement (usually around 30 seconds). While recording, make a note of the temperature and time.
- Rinse the thermometer in cold water, wipe it with alcohol, and rinse again.
Using a digital rectal thermometer (for children and babies up to 3 years old)
- Wash the rectal thermometer with warm soapy water. Do not use an oral thermometer.
- Apply a small amount of lubricant (petroleum jelly or petroleum jelly) to the sensor (top) of the thermometer.
- Place your baby face down on your lap or the table with one palm on his back. Or lie on your back with your legs bent at chest level and support the back of your thighs with one hand. Place a diaper or cloth under your baby, as he may have a bowel movement immediately after removing the thermometer.
- On the other hand, carefully insert the thermometer into the anus until the tip is fully inserted into the rectum. DO NOT apply it when you feel resistance.
- Hold the thermometer firmly in your hand until you hear the beep (approximately 30 seconds).
- Remove carefully. Record the temperature and time.
- Sanitize thermometer well with cold water, and soap very well. You can clean it again with alcohol and then rinse it again.
How should I clean and store my thermometer?
It’s a good idea to save the instructions that came with your thermometer so you can refer to them if you have questions like this. Clean the thermometer before and after use. You can clean the ends of digital thermometers with soapy water or alcohol. Then rinse with lukewarm water.
If you use a thermometer as a rectal thermometer, you should clean and label it carefully. Save it so that you can immediately know that it is the rectal thermometer and not the oral or armpit thermometer.
See the instructions, but the tips of the ears and forehead can be rubbed with alcohol. The lower part, the handles, can be cleaned with harsher disinfectants. However, clean the sanitizer with water to avoid damaging the handles or hands.
If your thermometer has a protective case, store it in the case. Store your thermometer (or thermometers) in a dry place that is easy to find and is not subject to severe changes in temperature.
When do I have to call my doctor?
If you have any questions about temperature measurement, please contact your Medical equipment manufacturers. They can give you advice on the best type of thermometer for your family and the best way to measure your baby or toddler’s temperature. Now is a good time to ask how often you use mood control again or to see if you have anything to do to lower your fever.