How to Buy a Thermometer Online

A thermometer is an important household item. Anyone in your family can benefit from thermometers, especially ones that are most accurate, which measure the same temperature reading each time, and that have useful features and accessories. There are many reasons to own a thermometer, and numerous models to choose from, so here’s a look at how to approach buying medical thermometers.

Who Needs a Thermometer?

Measuring body temperature is important for people of all ages. If you have a baby younger than three years of age, a rectal thermometer is most accurate, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. This is suggested if an infant’s armpit temperature is higher than 99°F. For children older than three years, an oral thermometer is suggested if the child can keep it in their mouth long enough. Other options include ear thermometers and temporal artery thermometers. For teenagers and adults, an oral and infrared thermometer is accurate enough to determine whether a fever is present or not.

Why You Should Have One at Home

You never know when someone will develop a fever. A thermometer reveals if a fever has set in, how high it is, and your recent trends in body temperature. It can help determine if the person is improving or if their body temperature is too high. For example, temperatures of 104°F or higher can trigger a seizure in a child. Also, consult a doctor if anyone has a fever for more than three days.

Types of Thermometers

The glass thermometers of the past have been replaced by more advanced devices. A digital thermometer eliminates mercury, a potentially toxic and deadly metal you can be exposed to if the glass breaks, or alcohol, which can be dangerous to children. Common thermometer types you’ll find today include:

• Digital Stick: A battery-operated oral thermometer with an LCD. Press the start button to begin a reading; the device will beep or provide some other signal to indicate the reading has been taken. A digital thermometer can have a rigid tip or a flexible tip that children and adults in studies have preferred due to comfort. Rigid-tip thermometers are often suited for underarm, rectal, and oral use.
• Infrared: Measuring heat emitted from the body, an infrared thermometer can take a reading in one to three seconds. Examples include infrared tympanic thermometers, which take readings from inside the ear canal; top infrared thermometers (such as for forehead temperature readings); and non-contact infrared models. With these, the thermometer wand is held 1-2 inches from the forehead to get a temperature reading.

Another option is a vital signs monitor that measures temperature, as well as other vital stats, such as SpO2 and NIBP. The Accutorr 7 Vital Signs Monitor is one example. It can measure respiration rate, pain level, and degree of consciousness. Options include Mindray SmarTemp® probes or Welch Allyn® SureTemp® Plus electronic thermometers. For more details on Medical Device Depot thermometers, browse this and other products online, or call us at 877-646-3300 today.