How to take a temperature

Always use a digital thermometer to check someone's temperature. Types you can get include:

• Rectal thermometers for use in the rectum.
• Oral thermometers for use in the mouth.
• Temporal artery thermometers. These use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead.
• Armpit, called axillary, and ear, called tympanic membrane thermometers. These are less accurate.

Because of the dangers of being exposed to mercury, don't use a glass mercury thermometer.

No matter which type of thermometer you use, do the following when using it:

• Read the instructions that came with the thermometer.
• Clean the thermometer before and after each use with rubbing alcohol or soap and lukewarm water.
• Don't use the same thermometer for both oral and rectal temperatures. Get two and label which is used where.
• Never leave children alone while taking their temperature.

Rectal temperature (for infants)

• Turn on the digital thermometer and dab petroleum jelly or another lubricant on the tip of the thermometer.
• Lay the child on his or her stomach or side, with knees flexed.
• Carefully insert the tip 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 centimeters) into the rectum.
• Hold the thermometer and the child still until the thermometer beeps, which means it's done. To avoid injury, don't let go of the thermometer while it's inside the child.
• Remove the thermometer and read the number.

Oral temperature

• Turn on the digital thermometer. Place the thermometer tip under the tongue.
• Close the mouth around the thermometer for as long as instructed or until the thermometer beeping shows it's done.
• Remove the thermometer and read the number.

Temporal artery temperature

• Turn on the digital thermometer. Gently sweep it across the forehead and read the number.

Armpit temperature

• Turn on the digital thermometer. Place the thermometer under the armpit, making sure it touches skin, not clothing.
• Hold the thermometer tightly in place until you hear the thermometer beep, which means it's done.
• Remove the thermometer and read the number.

Ear temperature

• Turn on the digital thermometer. Gently place it in the ear canal only as far as the instructions that came with the device say to.
• Hold the thermometer tightly in place until you hear the thermometer beep, which means it's done.
• Remove the thermometer and read the number.