Measuring body temperature
To speak of a fever, it is of great importance to determine the temperature in a measuring procedure. In many cases, the determination of the body temperature is somewhat inaccurate, since it depends on and is influenced by the method of measurement on the one hand, but also by fluctuations in the course of the day or physical activity on the other hand. Nowadays, digital clinical thermometers are used for measurement.
On the one hand, these have the advantage that the pure measuring process to determine the values only takes about one minute, in the ear even only a few seconds. On the other hand, they are very stable and do not break down so easily. The glass thermometers that have been used for a long time up to now can quickly shatter due to their high fragility and possibly cause injuries to the patient.
The preferred places to take measurements are in the ear (auricular), under the tongue (sublingual), in the armpit (axillary) and in the buttocks (rectal). Rectal measurement is performed by inserting a thermometer into the buttocks and is the most uncomfortable method for many patients. However, this method can provide the most accurate and representative readings.
It most closely corresponds to the exact body temperature and is therefore also very suitable for a control measurement. If the temperature is not measured in the buttocks, it should be noted that there may be a difference between the measured values and other measurement locations. If the temperature is measured in the mouth area, the thermometer should be placed under the tongue.
If possible, the mouth should remain closed for the duration of the measurement. It should also be ensured that no cold food or liquid has been ingested shortly before the measurement, as these are disturbing factors that influence the measurement and can affect the measured values. When measuring the temperature in the mouth, a difference of about 0.3° C should be observed.
Another method for determining body temperature is to take the measurement in the ear. This is a frequently used method because it can be performed very quickly and is well tolerated by patients, especially children. The insertion of the probe into the external auditory canal is facilitated by a slight pull exerted on the auricle.
If there is an inflammation in one ear, the healthy ear should be used for measurement if possible.The method which gives the least accurate readings is the temperature measurement in the Axel cave. It is important to note that there may be a difference of 0.5° C for the temperature measurement in the buttocks. Keeping this possible deviation in mind, the danger of underestimating the body temperature can be avoided.
