Medical Thermometers

Medical thermometers measure body temperature to help detect infection and illness or monitor treatment and recovery. Digital thermometers provide clear numeric readings without having to interpret an analog scale. Oral thermometers are the most commonly used type of thermometer. They provide a baseline of comparison for other temperature-taking methods. Rectal thermometers and ear thermometers give readings that are 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) higher than oral thermometers. They are used to take the temperature of infants and young children. Sometimes called temporal scanners, forehead thermometers read 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than oral thermometers. Probe covers can be used to keep the probes on compatible thermometers clean, especially when the thermometer will be used for multiple patients.