Contents:
- Medical Video: Types of Thermometers and their uses
- What is a thermometer?
- 1. Digital thermometer
- 2. Mercury thermometer
- 3. Baby pacifier thermometer
- 4. Ear thermometer
- 5. Forehead or forehead thermometer
- Things to do before and after using a thermometer
Medical Video: Types of Thermometers and their uses
When a fever, generally body temperature will increase. If your body's skin is touched, it generally feels hot or warm. You also sometimes want to measure how high your body temperature is when you have a fever. Knowing body temperature is also a way of anticipation, whether you need further treatment during a fever or not.Measuring the right body temperature can be done using a thermometer. What is a thermometer? Here's an explanation and some types of body temperature gauges that you should know.
What is a thermometer?
A thermometer is a device used to measure body temperature. There are digital thermometers and some are manual. Manual thermometers aka analog thermometers usually consist of tubes, markers, and substances that can react with body temperature. Some substances in the thermometer can change color or expand up to fill the empty space in the tube when reacting with body temperature.
In addition to measuring body temperature, this tool is generally also used in laboratories or to measure air temperature or temperature of other objects. Its main function is as a temperature measuring device. The following are some types of thermometers used to measure body temperature:
1. Digital thermometer
This digital body temperature measuring device generally can show results quickly and accurately. This body temperature gauge has different shapes and sizes. You can get it at a pharmacy, drug store, or shop that sells medical devices.
In this digital body temperature gauge, at the end of the device is a sensor. This sensor works to read your body temperature when touching the body for a few seconds.
You can use this tool in 3 ways:
- Use in the mouth
When using this thermometer in your mouth, you can simply put the tip of the sensor under the tongue with your lips closed. Try not to talk, bite or lick this tool. Breathe normally through the nose. Wait until you hear a "biiiip" sound or another signal that indicates that the temperature measurement results are ready to be read on the device screen.
- Use on the anus
This method is generally used in infants because they tend to be difficult to be able to be quiet for a moment when a device is inserted into his mouth. That is why, measuring the baby's body temperature is generally done through the anus. Previously, first wash the tip of the digital body temperature gauge with soap and rinse with cold water. Dry with a clean cloth and wet the tip of the thermometer with a lubricant, such as petroleum jelly.
First, you can put the baby to sleep on a flat surface, such as on a mattress or your thigh lap. Make the baby in his prone position, then open his legs slowly from behind. After finding the anal canal, you can insert the device into the anus slowly and let it sit for 30 seconds or until the instrument sensor sounds.
The second way, you can also put the baby in a sleeping position facing up alias on his back. Then slowly open the legs and insert into the anus for 30 seconds or until the "beep" sound on the instrument is heard.
- Use under the arm or armpit
Using a tool under the arm or squeezing it in the armpit is also a commonly known method. The method is to take off your clothes and place half of this digital body temperature gauge between your arms or squeeze it in your armpit. Make sure that the sensor is squeezed in your armpit and the sensor about your skin, not the clothes. After that hold for 2 to 3 minutes or until the sensor sounds. Then, you can see the results of body temperature measurements on the device screen.
Pay attention!
Do not use a mouth and anus thermometer simultaneously. You must give special labels for anal (rectal) or oral (oral) use to distinguish them. Also make sure that you have followed the rules for how to use it to get the right results
2. Mercury thermometer
Mercury thermometers are manual body temperature gauges using mercury or substances mercury. This tool is in the form of a glass tube containing mercury in it. You can put it under the tongue to measure body temperature. When placed under the tongue, mercury aka mercury in a glass tube will rise to empty space in the tube. In the tube, there is a temperature marker. The rising mercury will stop at a number that shows your body temperature.
Unfortunately, this manual body temperature gauge has been banned. This aims to avoid the danger of mercury or mercury exposure into the body. Since this tool is placed on the tongue, the risk of mercury exposure is higher.
Remember too! Do not throw this mercury thermometer carelessly. This tool must be disposed of in a special medical waste bin. Consult a nurse or doctor when you want to dispose of this medical object.
3. Baby pacifier thermometer
This body temperature measuring device looks like a pacifier or pacifier, and is used specifically for infants or children aged under five. This tool is used by putting it in the baby's mouth for a few moments like a pacifier. The use of this tool is quite difficult and the results are risky inaccurate because the baby is difficult to keep quiet for a while.
4. Ear thermometer
This tool is used by measuring the temperature of the inner ear. In this body temperature gauge, there are infrared rays that will read heat in the ear.
Make sure you put the device in the ear hole properly, not too deep and not too far away. Place the infrared sensor right on the surface of the ear hole. Later, body temperature results will appear on the device screen.
This body temperature gauge is generally used for infants and children because it is easier to use. Also make sure that you or your child does not have an ear infection and has cleared ear fluids. Because too much fluid in the ear can make the thermometer reading inaccurate.
5. Forehead or forehead thermometer
This digital device is used to measure body temperature through infrared light. You simply position the device's infrared sensor towards the forehead or forehead. Later, infrared light will read the heat coming out of the head. You can see the results of the body through the temperature numbers on the screen of this tool.
Things to do before and after using a thermometer
Before using this temperature gauge, there are a few things you need to know:
- Before measuring body temperature, make sure that you do not eat and drink hot or cold drinks. Because this can disrupt your body temperature when it will be measured. Either way, wait for about 10-15 minutes after eating or drinking.
- Don't smoke before checking body temperature
- Don't forget to clean the thermometer after use, especially the thermometer used specifically for the anus.
- If you run out of exercise or have a shower using hot water, it is better to wait 1 to 2 hours so that the original body temperature is not affected when measured.
