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Medical thermometer purchasing advice: how to choose the right product
- What You Need to Know
- Doctors recommend that a clinical thermometer should be part of every medicine cabinet.
- The most important thing about a clinical thermometer is that it takes accurate readings and is easy to use.
- Before buying a thermometer, consumers should consider the age group for which the thermometer will mainly be used.
- Contactless infrared thermometers have some advantages over the older, analogue models.
- Contact clinical thermometers score with their precision, but are less practical to use due to the long measurement time.
Health first
Health is the most important thing in life. If you feel ill and listless, you should not ignore the symptoms, especially during the flu season, but follow them up. If you have a hot head and also pain in your limbs, it is advisable to immediately reach for the clinical thermometer to measure your own body temperature.
A fever, i.e. an elevated temperature, is an indication that someone is seriously ill. Ultimately, it is a doctor who diagnoses what illness the patient is suffering from. But before you decide to go to the doctor’s office or call the doctor, taking a temperature is helpful to have the right information at hand. A report on the course of the fever over time helps the doctor make his diagnosis.
The normal human body temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius. It can fluctuate between 36.5 and 37.4 degrees Celsius. Since the body temperatures of adults and children are slightly different, it is important to pay attention to the fact that the fever values also differ when taking a temperature. In adults, doctors speak of fever when the patient has a body temperature of at least 38.2 degrees Celsius. An elevated temperature is 37.5 degrees Celsius. In babies under three months of age, one speaks of fever when the temperature is 38 degrees Celsius. For older babies, this is where the elevated temperature begins. 41 degrees Celsius means red alert for any age, this temperature is life-threatening.
What types of clinical thermometers are there?
There are many different types of clinical thermometers on the market. These include digital, contactless and glass or analogue products. The latter are now rarely used. Regardless of whether you decide on an analogue or a modern digital clinical thermometer, it is always advisable to read the instructions for use carefully. This is the only way to ensure correct use. The best-known manufacturers of clinical thermometers include Braun, HYLOGY, Beurer, Weyty, Adoric, Lovia, Domotherm, reer, SVMUU and MyBeo.
Caution, risk of breakage!
Analogue clinical thermometers made of glass are not recommended due to their high fragility. They used to contain harmful mercury; however, the manufacture of these products has been banned in the EU since 2009.
Contact thermometers for highest accuracy
Classic clinical thermometers work in analogue mode and require direct body contact. They usually measure very accurately and give reliable information that patients can rely on. The tips of these models are filled with a liquid that expands into a thin tube when heated and thus indicates the temperature with the help of a scale. In the past, mercury, which is harmful to health, was used as the liquid. However, since the thermometers were made of fragile glass, the toxic contents were often released. That is why mercury thermometers are no longer sold in the EU today. However, modern analogue fibre thermometers are also made of glass – so there is still a risk of cuts if the thermometer breaks.
Digital thermometers have almost completely replaced glass products. They measure just as precisely and reliably. In addition, they are characterised by their resistance to breakage. The temperature is measured by an electrical probe. It consists of a metal whose electrical resistance changes depending on its temperature. The electronics inside convert the changes in resistance into temperature values that can be easily read on a small LCD display. Like analogue clinical thermometers, their digital counterparts are very inexpensive to buy.
Infrared thermometers for toddlers and babies
Ear thermometers work via infrared radiation and score points for their speed. They measure with the help of a sensor directly on the eardrum; the temperature there is similar to the temperature inside the body. This process is especially pleasant and uncomplicated for babies and toddlers, because it only takes a few seconds to determine the temperature. However, the measurement is somewhat less accurate than with contact thermometers. In addition, parents need some practice at first because they have to position the clinical thermometer in the right place in the ear so that no measuring errors occur.
Ear thermometers are less suitable for babies because their ear canal is still too small. The ear thermometers can be used from the third month of life at the earliest. Caution is also advised in the case of an ear infection, as the ear may be swollen from the inside. In terms of price, ear thermometers tend to be in the upper segment.
Are forehead thermometers recommended?
Forehead thermometers also work via infrared radiation. In other words, they measure the heat that the body radiates. There are forehead thermometers that are placed directly on the forehead. Other products are simply held over the forehead without touching the skin. However, this measurement can also be influenced by the environment. This is why doctors hardly ever use these thermometers – the values are too imprecise and can fluctuate. Even though the application is easier compared to the use of ear thermometers, users should keep the possible inaccuracies in mind. For a short measurement, for example during sleep, such a clinical thermometer can be helpful to get an approximate value. Forehead thermometers are rather expensive to buy. In the meantime, there are also combined thermometers on the market that offer the possibility of measuring both in the ear and on the forehead.
Dummy thermometers for babies
There are relatively inexpensive dummy thermometers specifically for babies and toddlers. Manufacturers such as reer or Elemed promise easy measurement, but even with these thermometers it is difficult to get an accurate result. According to the manufacturer, the dummies that have the thermometer built in must remain in the closed mouth for one minute to take the measurement. In practice, this is difficult, especially with restless babies. That’s why digital thermometers or infrared devices come out on top in the comparison, even for babies.
What should I look for when buying a thermometer?
There are some factors that buyers should pay special attention to when choosing a clinical thermometer. Two factors in particular are decisive for the right choice: the precision and the measuring time. However, functions such as signal tones, the display, the storage of the measurement and other extras can also be important. For example, some thermometers can connect to the smartphone via Bluetooth. Others switch off automatically, have an alarm function or show fever limits that can be set depending on the age.
Precision
What good is a clinical thermometer that consumers cannot rely on? After all, health is at stake. Of course, medical professionals also rely on precise information and accurate measurements. How precise a thermometer is in use depends on the design. The classic contact thermometers are particularly reliable in this respect. But ear thermometers with infrared radiation also provide accurate results without deviations when used correctly.
Measuring time
Firstly, the duration of the measurement is decisive for how pleasant or unpleasant taking a fever can be for patients. Secondly, the duration is related to how accurately the result is displayed after the measurement. The longer the thermometer has to be held to the respective spot, the higher the probability that inaccuracies will occur. Especially with babies and toddlers, it is advisable to keep the measurement as short as possible. Holding still for a long time while taking a temperature usually does not work.
The classic clinical thermometers take a relatively long time to take a reading. With the exception of analogue clinical thermometers, all versions allow a measurement in less than 30 seconds. Some infrared clinical thermometers even promise a measurement in just one second. The measuring time of digital contact thermometers is about ten seconds. In contrast, analogue clinical thermometers offer much less comfort with a measurement time of 60 seconds in the mouth or three minutes in the armpit. However, products with a shorter measuring time are also directly more expensive.
Signal tones
If you want to know when the temperature measurement is finished, you should pay attention to a signal tone function. Ear thermometers usually have a signal tone that sounds after one second, indicating that the measurement is finished. The value can then be read off. Some digital thermometers also have an acoustic alarm signal that sounds when patients actually have a fever. Some digital clinical thermometers have a silent mode that allows you to turn off the sound, for example, at night. This is very helpful if parents want to take a reading while their child is sleeping.
Display
Size, readability and illumination – a thermometer display should be as easy to see as possible. An illuminated display is very useful when taking measurements at night. Many devices have a large display so that everyone in the household can read the reading. There are also thermometers whose display turns red if the measurement shows that the person has a fever. If the body temperature is healthy, it lights up green. If you cannot see well at short distances, you can look for a product that has an extra-large XL display. Infrared clinical thermometers often not only have a large display, but also an ergonomic design.
Memory function
Some clinical thermometers can store the results of several measurements over a longer period of time. This is particularly useful if you want to measure your body temperature frequently or compare the fluctuations – for example, for people who are planning a family or suffer from regular bouts of fever due to health problems. Most clinical thermometers have up to ten memory locations, higher-priced ones up to 90. A memory function always shows the last measured value, which can thus be checked at any time. When the memory is full, the oldest value is replaced by the current one.
Connectivity
Clinical thermometers can also send data to a smartphone via the wireless Bluetooth interface. This works with the help of the respective manufacturer’s app. This function ensures that the measurement is monitored in real time; the progress is constantly transmitted to the phone. As with all Bluetooth applications, the distance between the device and the mobile phone must not exceed ten metres. Manufacturers advertise with clearly evaluated data that are displayed as graphics in the respective app.
Extra functions
Many modern clinical thermometers offer a number of additional functions. Some of them are helpful to make measuring more comfortable and safer. A flexible measuring tip, for example, can help to position the metal probe in the right place in the ear. If it is also preheated, the measurement is not only more practical to use, but also more comfortable. Some thermometers also have a built-in system that would signal when the tip is in the right place.
Some battery-operated devices are also equipped with an automatic switch-off function that kicks in when the clinical thermometer is not in use or a power-saving function that also switches on by itself. Those who want to use the thermometer for the whole family might also be interested in Braun’s Age Precision technology. This offers the possibility of determining age-dependent fever threshold values.
First and foremost, clinical thermometers are useful for measuring body temperature. But there are also products that additionally determine the room temperature when the device switches from body mode to room mode. The different modes make the thermometer an all-rounder in the household.
What types of measurement are there?
The best way to find out how to take a temperature correctly is to read the enclosed instructions for use. Some devices are more complicated to use than others. Users can either take the temperature once, on themselves or on others, or observe the temperature curve and take several readings a day to document the progress. Especially for children and elderly people, it is advisable to keep an eye on the body temperature and rather consult a doctor once too often than too seldom. The body temperature can be measured in different parts of the body. This depends on the type of thermometer and on the methods used to measure it.
Body temperature
The body temperature corresponds to the temperature of the internal vital organs. In a healthy person it is between 36.5 and 37.4 degrees Celsius. The measurement is possible at different parts of the body. Rectal measurements provide the most accurate results because the clinical thermometer is close to the organs. Ear thermometers are also very accurate because the heat radiation from the eardrum provides reliable readings.
Rectal measurement
Inserting the thermometer into the anus promises particularly accurate readings, but is extremely uncomfortable. This method is mainly used for babies and infants because it is very reliable. However, it is not very popular with children. As a result, the child may resist and make it impossible to take a measurement. A flexible measuring tip and some baby cream can help.
Oral measurement
Some patients prefer a sublingual measurement of fever in the mouth. This involves placing the metal tip under the tongue at the very back of the mouth. It is important that the probe of the fever thermometer does not slip out from under the tongue, but remains in the heat pocket, otherwise the measurement will not work properly. This method is recommended from the age of four, but also depends on how long the child holds still.
Surface temperature
Measurements on the forehead, under the armpit or in the mouth – i.e. on the surface of the skin – are more comfortable to use, but can be influenced by the environment and lead to inaccurate results.
Axillary measurement
There is also the option of sliding the thermometer under the armpit and taking the temperature there. However, the result may be inaccurate at this point. The measurement takes a long time compared to other methods, which increases the susceptibility to error. In addition, the thermometer only measures the surface temperature of the skin, not the body temperature. Axillary measurement is therefore less recommended.
Measurement on the forehead
Digital infrared thermometers measure the temperature on the forehead. This happens within a few seconds and is therefore one of the fastest as well as most comfortable methods. Some forehead thermometers even work contact-free and are therefore very hygiene-friendly. Forehead measurement is particularly suitable for small children. It is also useful for babies if the measurement is to be taken at night. A supplementary rectal measurement provides more certainty regarding the result.
Measurement in the ears
Some infrared thermometers can measure both: forehead and ear. When measuring in the ear, make sure that the tip is positioned correctly. Otherwise the ear thermometer may give a distorted result. This requires a little practice at first. Nevertheless, the method is also suitable for babies and small children. It scores above all with its precision, because the heat radiation of the eardrum is measured. A thermometer with a preheated measuring tip can make the procedure even more comfortable.
What do I have to consider when cleaning a clinical thermometer?
Of course, clinical thermometers must be cleaned regularly. Hygiene is not only particularly important for the sick, but also for the healthy, in order to keep infections by bacteria and viruses as low as possible. A contactless clinical thermometer is less affected by this, as they only measure the surface temperature. However, users should take special care to clean and disinfect the thermometer when taking a rectal, ear or sublingual reading. It is best to clean it after each measurement, but at least once a day. If users also use the thermometer for other patients, i.e. for more than one person in the household, it is even more necessary to maintain hygiene.
Some manufacturers, including Braun, offer disposable protective caps that are used for each measurement. This eliminates the need to clean the probe. For other thermometers, it is recommended to use so-called soft-cellin alcohol swabs or, alternatively, a damp cloth with 70 per cent alcohol. Other cleaning agents are not recommended because they can attack the material of the thermometer. The case should also be wiped regularly. Gentle detergents with cold water are suitable for this purpose. Always read the instructions for use of the respective thermometer on the subject of hygiene.
