If a person suspects that he is sick, and this happens especially often in the winter, then the first way to confirm these guesses is a thermometer, with which the body temperature is measured . If it is high, then you need to start immediate treatment so as not to get complications. But does everyone know how much to keep a thermometer?
To begin with, there are mercury thermometers and electronic. Both those and others should be able to use it correctly so that the readings are accurate. It is also very important that children and adults measure temperature differently.
The most effective is a mercury device. Electronic is more secure. The exact time how much to hold the thermometer depends on what it is. So, a mercury thermometer measures the temperature from three to ten minutes. Three minutes is enough for an electronic thermometer to find out the exact readings. Now you know how much to keep the mercury thermometer and how much electronic. There is no doubt that the second option will measure the temperature much faster. To reset the readings, after you have already measured the temperature with a mercury thermometer, you should definitely shake the thermometer, otherwise the next time these results may be overestimated. Using an electronic device, you can more accurately find out your temperature.
How to hold a thermometer? The thermometer should be clamped under the arm. In this case, the skin should not be sweating, otherwise the readings will be incorrect. The thing is that the temperature of the sweat secreted is greater than the body itself, so in the case of moisture under the armpit, the measurement result will be clearly overestimated.
While you wait for the testimony, you should keep your hand tightly pressed to the body. After a few minutes, you will see the correct values on the thermometer. If you have an old mercury device, you can slightly extend the measurement time, since being in operation for a long time, such thermometers respond more slowly to changes in body temperature.
Now that you know how much to hold the thermometer, you can use another method to measure the temperature. The thermometer can be inserted under the knee. The leg needs to be bent so that the thermometer is firmly held for the right time. This method is best performed lying on your back or on your side.
Young children can be measured rectally by inserting a thermometer in their ass. It will be more convenient and safer to use an electronic device, since it measures faster and cannot harm the child. Remember that the readings of rectal temperature are always slightly higher than when measured under the arm or under the knee.
To the question of how much to hold a thermometer for a child, one can confidently answer: as much as an adult. If the baby is sleeping, then you can put a thermometer under your arm, after warming it in your hands. This way you won’t wake him with a cold touch. Be very careful not to disturb the child’s sleep, otherwise it is unlikely to measure the temperature.
If you know how long you need to keep the thermometer, but as a result of measurements it seems to you that the readings are not correct enough, then repeat this procedure again. Measure the temperature again to make sure that the results are accurate.
Regardless of whether you use a mercury or electronic thermometer to measure the temperature of the child, you need to do this very carefully. This is especially true for a mercury device, because mercury is a very dangerous substance.
Fans of skipping school know how to raise the temperature artificially. To do this, they, for example, take out the lead from a simple pencil and simply eat it. Yes, the temperature does rise, but at the same time you risk poisoning. Therefore, it is better not to resort to such methods.