Types of Thermometer and Their Accuracy

 There are various types of thermometers used in the medical field. Let us examine some of them today.

 Digital Touch Thermometer 

Digital touch thermometers determine body temperature using heat sensors. We can use them orally, under the armpits, or up the rectum. Note that taking oral temperatures as the base, such a digital thermometer gives a reading half a degree lower in the armpits and half a degree higher in the rectum when measured in Celsius. They give accurate readings in less than a minute.

 Oral Thermometer 

Oral thermometers are those that work only when placed in the mouth under the tongue. They can be both digital and analog (mercury). The average body temperature varies from 36.1 to 37.2 degrees Celsius. Oral readings are generally very accurate, and we can use them for anyone above the age of three.  

Digital Tympanic Thermometer

Tympanic or ear thermometers measure the temperature through the ear canal. They use infrared ray technology. Temperatures are generally 0.3-0.6 degrees Celsius higher than when taken through the mouth. The readings come fast. 

Temporal Thermometer

They are infrared thermometers that can measure the temperature on the forehead. They focus on the superficial temporal artery, a branch of the carotid artery, and use infrared sensors to detect the temperature. They are generally used from a distance, and that is, they have become popular during the pandemic and at venues such as malls and airports, where the crowd is large. They are extremely fast, but they report a temperature about half a degree Celsius lower than an oral thermometer, on average. 

 Thermometer App

Nowadays, with the advent of modern technology, a thermometer comes in the form of an app. However, one must be cautious because most such apps are designed to record atmospheric temperatures and not body temperatures. Phone applications for body temperatures are based on digital thermometers, which can be connected to the phone via Bluetooth. The accuracy of these kinds of thermometers depends on the underlying digital thermometer.

 Pacifier Thermometer

As the name suggests, this is a thermometer on a pacifier. Since there is constant contact with the mouth, it can provide easy readings. However, they give average readings and not accurate for instant temperatures.

 Mercury Thermometer

Once the thermometer of choice, they have fallen into disuse due to the toxicity of mercury. However, they give accurate readings, even though it takes time. Additionally, there are no hassles of changing batteries or recharging power.

 In times of the pandemic, thermometers have become an essential medical instrument in every household. You can find the best priced thermometers and other medical supplies such as blood sugar test machine on Smart Medical Buyer, a trustworthy and leading online medical distributor.

 

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