Your Childrens Health

A kiss on the forehead, or a hand placed on the skin isn’t enough to tell your if your child has a fever. This method of taking temperature is dependent on the person doing the feeling;  it doesn’t give an accurate reading of the child’s temperature.

By using a thermometer you can tell if the child has a fever or if their temperature is higher that one of the following levels:

• 100.4 degrees fehrenheight measured rectally
• 99.5 degrees fehrenheight measured orally
• 99 degrees fehrenheight measured under the arm (axillary)

Whatever kind of thermometer you use, be sure you know how to use it correctly to get an accurate reading. Keep and follow the instructions that come with the thermometer. Digital thermometers provide the fastest most accurate readings. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and can be purchased at grocery stores and pharmacies.

Many digital thermometers can be used for these temperature methods:

• Oral (in the mouth)

• Rectal (in the bottom)

• Axillary (under the arm)

Electronic thermometers measure the tympanic temperature inside the ear canal. They are quick, accurate and easy to use in older children. They are not as accurate on younger children as digital thermometers are, and are more expensive. Do not use the ear thermometer on a child less than three months of age. If your child is younger than three months old, you will get the best reading using a digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature. If the child is three months to four years old, you will get an accurate reading using a digital thermometer to take a rectal or axillary temperature. And if the child is four years old or older you can use a digital thermometer to take an oral temperature.

To take an oral temperature, follow these steps

1. Wait 20-30 minutes after a child has eaten or drank anything

2. Place the tip of the thermometer under the tongue and get the child to close lips around it. Tell them not to bite down or talk. Just get them to relax and breath through the nose.

3. Wait until the thermometer beeps the appropriate amount of times. Read and write down the number on the screen, and the time of day.

To take a rectal temperature:

1. Lubricate the thermometer tip with a water soluble jelly

2. Place child face down in your lap, supporting the child’s head. You can also lie the child on a firm flat surface

3. Firmly, but gently place a hand on the child’s back to hold them still

4. With the other hand, insert the thermometer through the anal opening about ½ to 1 inch into rectum. Make sure you stop if you feel any resistance.

5. Make sure you steady the thermometer between your second and third fingers as you put your hands against the child’s bottom. Talk to your child as you hold the thermometer in place.

6. Wait until you hear the right number of beeps. You can keep a record of this if you so decide.

To take an axillary temperature:

1. Remove child’s shirt or undershirt, and put thermometer under the child’s armpit.

2. Fold your child’s arm across their chest to hold thermometer

3. Wait for the appropriate amount of beeps. You can write this temperature down and note the time of day. You should call your family doctor if you have any questions.

Related:

This entry was posted on Friday, March 17th, 2006 at 5:51 am and is filed under High Fever. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.