Biologically, man is a warm-blooded creature. This means that in order to ensure the normal course of physiological processes in the body, it needs to maintain body temperature in a fairly narrow range. On average, it is +36.4 … +36.8 degrees. An increase in this temperature by only half a degree means that the body's defenses have entered the battle with an infectious invasion, or there is a serious violation of the functioning of a vital organ, and inflammation is developing. A decrease in temperature also indicates a pathology. Thus, measuring a person's body temperature is a basic procedure for determining whether the body's systems are working correctly and whether he is he althy.
Where to measure
In the "he althy" state of the human body, the temperature is constant and independent of the environment. Despite this, human organs and tissues have different temperatures. If the skin is he althy at +29.5, then the liver is at +38. On the contrary, the brain has the mostconstant and stable thermal conditions. However, the technique for measuring body temperature should show a value that is closest to the thermal state of the internal organs.
This is achievable with rectal temperature measurement, when the measuring element of the thermometer is inserted into the rectum. But with diarrhea, constipation and critical days in women, the obtained values differ significantly from the real ones. Also, this method of measurement is contraindicated in diseases of the rectum.
The most familiar to us measurement of body temperature is a mercury thermometer in the armpit. The obtained values are less than during rectal measurement by half a degree and are +36, 5…+37, 0.
In the UK and the US, body temperature is taken orally (in the mouth). To do this, place the measuring element of the thermometer under the tongue. Here the temperature is higher than in the armpit, by 0.3 degrees. Measurements lose their accuracy with inflammation in the oral cavity and respiratory diseases. This method is not suitable for young children due to the risk of injury.
Also familiar to all "mother's method" (putting the palm to the forehead) has found its way into the modern measurement method using infrared technology.
Finally, rarely, but the temperature in the ear canal is measured, for which the same infrared thermometers are used. Inflammation in the ear distorts readings.
How to measure
Despite the fact that the worldgradually abandons mercury thermometers for obvious reasons, they are still among the leaders in terms of "price - measurement accuracy" ratio. They can be used for axillary, oral and rectal measurements (the last two with caution) and are easy to disinfect. You will have to wait 10 minutes to get the result.
Electronic thermometers (also called digital) measure temperature safely and very quickly. But they are sensitive to humidity, unlike a glass thermometer, they give an error of 0.1-0.2 degrees, cheap models cannot be disinfected, the battery may run out at the most crucial moment.
Relatively new is the measurement of body temperature with infrared thermometers. The most advanced of them do not require disinfection at all due to non-contact measurement. Ideal for children, as they can stay undressed, receive temperature readings from sleeping people, and all this in a matter of seconds. However, just like electronic ones, they have an error and are very expensive.
For very young children, a digital thermometer was invented to measure body temperature in the form of a pacifier. It gives the desired values within 3-5 minutes.
There are also thermal strips based on sensitive film. However, they do not give an exact figure, they simply show the limits in which the temperature is. The readings are affected by skin perspiration and the tightness of the thermal strip to the body.
If the measurement of body temperature turns out to be inaccurate, then perhaps it is not the devices that are to blame, but people, notbothering to read the instructions for use before use.
