Otitis media, or inflammation of the ear canals, is a common disease childhood. Doctors say that by the age of three, 90% of children suffer from this disease at least once. Otitis has a number characteristic symptoms, one of them is an increase in temperature, which worries parents of sick babies very much. How long does the fever last with this disease and how to alleviate the child's condition?

An infectious-inflammatory process in the ear canal occurs as a complication of viral and bacterial infections of the respiratory system and nasopharynx. The causative agents of the disease are usually adenoviruses, influenza viruses, Haemophilus influenzae and pneumococci.. Due to the fact that the work of the immune system in childhood is not well established, otitis media often accompanies diseases characterized by difficulty in nasal breathing - tonsillitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis, etc.

In infants, the cause of the development of the disease lies in special structure organs of hearing. A small tube, which is called the Eustachian, in infants passes close to the pharynx, which facilitates the easy penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the ear. In addition, children under the age of one year are constantly in a horizontal position, which is why mucus flows into the Eustachian tube, causing inflammation. With age, the auditory tube becomes longer, narrower and located at a greater angle to the pharynx, as a result of which the mucous secretions practically do not enter the ears.

Important! Otitis has a number characteristic features, by which it is quite easy to recognize the disease: ear pain, weakness, dyspeptic manifestations (nausea, vomiting) and fever, but in general, the baby's condition depends on the form of the disease.

Table. The main forms of otitis.

In addition to the above classification, otitis media is divided according to the localization of the inflammatory process, which can occur in the outer or middle ear, in acute or chronic form, etc.

On a note! The most difficult to diagnose is exudative otitis media, since it is almost asymptomatic, and children and parents practically do not pay attention to a slight hearing loss and tinnitus.

Causes some difficulties and the definition of the disease in infants who cannot tell about their condition. Signs of otitis media in this case are capriciousness and anxiety, refusal of the breast, constant crying without apparent reason and hearing loss (the child does not respond to parental voices or extraneous sounds). You can diagnose an illness in infants using a simple test - just lightly press on a small protrusion (tragus) next to the baby's ear. If the child cries a lot after this, then this movement caused an increase in pain syndrome which is characteristic of otitis media.

Why does fever rise with otitis media?

An increase in temperature is a natural reaction of the body to inflammatory and infectious processes in the body. The numbers on the thermometer for this disease depend on the clinical course, the state of immunity and the age of the child - infants tolerate the disease much more difficult than older children.

Most often, a high temperature occurs with a purulent form of otitis media, and the fever lasts until the pus comes out of the ear, on its own or after appropriate medical procedures. The duration of the hyperthermic stage can be from 3 to 7 days, after which the temperature drops to normal limits.

Another reason for the increase in temperature in otitis media is the complications of the disease that develop as a result of improper treatment. Most dangerous consequences inflammation of the ear are mastoiditis (tissue damage mastoid process accompanied by the development of osteomyelitis), meningitis and otogenic sepsis. The development of complications is characterized by the following clinical picture: the patient's condition improves for several days, after which ear pain, fever and other manifestations of the disease reappear.

Can otitis proceed without fever?

Otitis is not always accompanied by fever - there are several forms of the disease for which fever is not typical. Most often, this course of the disease is observed in an inflammatory process caused not by an infectious infection, but by mechanical damage to the skin of the ear canal. A wound is formed at the site of injury, causing burning and pain, which intensify if microbes enter the wound, and an abscess forms in its place.

In addition, if ear pain occurs without hyperthermia and other common symptoms, it is necessary to carry out a differential diagnosis of otitis media with otomycosis (damage to the structures of the hearing organs by fungal microorganisms), eczema of the ear canal. It is possible to distinguish fungal diseases of the ear from inflammatory processes by the presence of itching, which is characteristic of fungal infections. There is no increase in temperature and with diffuse external otitis and atypical course of the inflammatory process.

In what cases should you immediately consult a doctor?

The temperature during otitis causes a lot of discomfort to both the baby himself and his parents. This symptom in any case requires a visit to the doctor, but in some situations health care the child needs immediately. Call " ambulance» necessary when the temperature is high:

• observed in a child under the age of six months;
• does not go astray with conventional antipyretic drugs;
• accompanied by dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) or skin rash, severe headache, weakness.

The above signs may indicate not only otitis media, but also other dangerous diseases, so it is best to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Treatment of otitis media with fever

It is recommended to bring down the temperature only in those cases when it exceeds 38-38.5, and in children suffering from convulsive syndrome, cardiovascular disorders or other concomitant diseases, the allowable figures are 37-37.5. If the fever is not too severe, and the child feels satisfactory, the use of antipyretics is not recommended to give the body the opportunity to fight the infection on its own. In order to bring down the temperature, it is better to use preparations containing ibuprofen or paracetamol in the appropriate dosage - they will not only eliminate the fever, but also reduce pain in the ear.

The main component of the treatment of otitis accompanied by fever is antibacterial agents, which can be local (used in the focus of inflammation) or systemic. In cases of a mild course of the disease - the disease is accompanied only by pain in the ears and subfebrile temperature - the fight against the pathological process, as a rule, is limited to the use of local drugs. If such treatments are ineffective, systemic therapy should be considered.

With purulent otitis, the use of antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Flemoxin Solutab), which are prescribed by a doctor, is indicated. An increase in temperature during otitis plays another important role- it helps to evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen treatment regimen. With proper therapy, an improvement in the condition and a decrease in temperature are observed already in the first day. If the fever persists for several days, it is necessary to select other drugs. At proper treatment catarrhal otitis resolves on average in a week, purulent - in two weeks.

General principles for the treatment of otitis media in children

In order to get rid of the disease and its symptoms as soon as possible, it is necessary to adhere to general rules treatment of ear diseases.

1. Antibiotics for oral administration are prescribed exclusively by the attending physician. As a rule, therapy includes cephalosporins and penicillins, and in the presence of allergies, macrolides.
2. It is not advisable to use drops containing antibiotics in the first stages of the disease - drugs with analgesic and decongestant effects are better suited. They are used in the acute phase of the disease in the presence of perforation, as well as in cases of chronic otitis media.
3. In acute otitis media, it is recommended to instill vasoconstrictor drops from rhinitis into the child's nasal passages, which will restore normal communication between the nasal passages and the middle ear.
4. If the child does not have a temperature and purulent discharge from the ears, you can put warm compresses. They are applied not on the auricle itself, but around it - in a bandage or gauze folded several times, a hole is made for the ear, after which the cloth is moistened in diluted alcohol or vodka, and a compress is applied on one side of the head. From above it is covered with polyethylene, insulated with cotton wool and fixed with a scarf. The duration of the procedure is at least two hours.
5. You can warm sore ears with a medical reflector with a blue lamp or a bag of salt, but such activities can also be carried out only in the absence of fever and pus.
6. Use folk recipes for the treatment of otitis media in children, especially without consulting a doctor, it is categorically not recommended - self-medication can complicate the course of the disease and provoke serious complications.

You should not bathe a child with otitis media - it is better to rub down warm water. Meals should include light but nutritious meals with enough vitamins. Walking is allowed only after the temperature returns to normal, and the pain in the ear and purulent discharge disappear, and the baby needs to wear a hat for the duration of his stay on the street.

Prevention of otitis media

To prevent the development of otitis media in children, you can use simple preventive measures. First of all, it is necessary to avoid colds and increase immunity: take vitamin complexes, use fresh vegetables and fruits, temper the child. If the baby is still ill with a cold or SARS, treatment should take place in a timely manner and under the supervision of a doctor. In no case should you clean earwax with items that are not intended for these purposes - pins, matches, invisible hairpins. Children under three years of age require constant adult supervision - babies of this age often put foreign objects in their ears, as a result of which purulent otitis media develops.

0

Content

A popular method for diagnosing diseases and inflammatory processes is to measure body temperature using special devices - thermometers, also called thermometers. Depending on the deviation of the obtained indicator from the norm, the doctor makes a forecast about the state of the body systems, determines the intensity of the necessary drug therapy in the first days of treatment. Answers to questions about which thermometers are best to use, and on which part of the body to measure the temperature, will help you understand how to measure it correctly, to minimize the error.

What is temperature measurement

Thermometry is a set of methods and methods that help measure the temperature, in medicine - the human body. The degree of heating of the object is compared with the absolute thermodynamic scale. Deviations from the average norm up or down show the doctor that processes are taking place in the body that violate its thermoregulation, for example, the fight against a virus or inflammation. Regular measurements of this parameter allow you to monitor the patient's condition, improve the effectiveness of treatment in a timely manner, and avoid possible complications.

What determines body temperature

In addition to infectious diseases and other external factors(for example, hypothermia or overheating), many circumstances affect the temperature index of the body. You will see different numbers on the thermometer by measuring the temperature on the surface of the skin (in the armpit or in the inguinal folds) or by one of the internal methods (orally or rectally). In addition to the location of the measurement, the indicator is affected by:

• the time of the manipulation (morning / evening);
• patient's age;
• period menstrual cycle among women.

Normal human body temperature

Physiological indicators of the normal temperature of the human body can vary between 36.3 - 37.3 ° C. The norm of 36.6 ° C, to which we have become accustomed since childhood, is set for measurement in the axillary region, due to individual characteristics, it may deviate within 36.4 - 37.0 ° C. The average rectal temperature (in the rectum) is 37.3-37.7 °C; temperature ranges for oral measurement, considered healthy indicators - 36.8 - 37.2 ° C.

Minimum human body temperature

The human body is better adapted to hypothermia than to an increase in temperature. Deviation from the norm towards the lower limit up to 35 ° C is accompanied by severe weakness, after lowering to 29 ° C, the person loses consciousness. The lowest recorded rate at which the life of a hypothermic patient could be saved was 14.9 °C. Death usually occurs when the temperature reaches 25°C.

Critical temperature

With an increase in the temperature of the victim from overheating to the absolute scale mark above 42 ° C and the inability to reduce the indicator, there is a high probability lethal outcome. A case was recorded when the patient managed to survive with overheating up to 46.5 °C. The lower limit in some cases can reach up to 25-26 °C. With hyperthermia - an increase in the indicator to 42 ° C and above - loss of consciousness, hallucinations, delirium are observed. In this case, the patient's life is in serious danger, so it is necessary to lower this biometric indicator in any way possible.

What is temperature measured in

In the SI system ( international system units) there are two main units for measuring temperature indicators - degrees Celsius and degrees Kelvin. Body temperature in medicine is measured on the Celsius scale, on which zero is equal to freezing water, and one hundred degrees is the state of its boiling.

Temperature measuring instruments

In thermometry, a special measuring device is used - a thermometer to measure body temperature. These devices are also called thermometers. They are made from different materials(glass, plastic), have their own specifics and principle of operation (contact, non-contact; digital, mercury, infrared), measurement error. Each type of these devices has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Instrument classification

The basic principle by which thermometers are classified for measuring body temperature is the principle of operation of these measuring instruments. According to him, they are divided into:

• mercury;
• digital;
• infrared (for non-contact measurement method).

Mercury thermometers are made of glass and work on the principle of expanding the mercury contained in their glass tank. When heated from the body, the mercury column moves up the scale, reaching a mark corresponding to t of the body. This method of determining temperature characteristics helps to obtain high accuracy of measurement results, the error of the actual temperature when using this type of thermometer is only 0.1 degrees.

Along with the advantages - affordability, a wide range of applications, durability, obtaining accurate measurements- liquid thermometers with mercury have significant disadvantages:

• fragility of the body;
• mercury toxicity (there is a risk of poisoning if you accidentally damage the mercury tank or break the thermometer);
• measurement duration (up to 10 minutes).

Digital, electronic thermometers are widely used. They may have different appearance, their body is made of plastic, and the temperature is determined due to the operation of a thermodynamic sensor. Electronic thermometers are safer than mercury ones, they help to get a quick measurement result (within one minute), however, the accuracy of the readings of these devices is significantly inferior to mercury thermometers.

Infrared devices for measuring temperature indicators do not require direct contact with the body, the time of measuring the temperature value takes a few seconds. A special sensor displays a digital infrared image on the screen, the device requires adjustment, gives an error of about 0.2 degrees, is expensive, and is often used in cases where the patient cannot be disturbed.

Especially for infants who cannot be at rest for a long time, pacifier thermometers disguised as an ordinary pacifier were invented. They are made of silicone, the duration of the measurement is about five minutes, but this does not bring any inconvenience to the child. The deviation from the exact data can reach 0.3 degrees.

Where to take the temperature

Not all parts of the body have the same indicator, in this regard, there are different ways temperature measurements. For getting exact definition state of the body, this biometric indicator is determined by:

• axillary (the thermometer is installed and held with the working end in the armpit);
• oral (measurement is carried out by taking the level of thermal radiation in the mouth);
• rectally (in the rectum);
• in the inguinal folds;
• in the woman's vagina.

How to measure correctly

In different cavities and sections, the temperature indicator is measured according to certain rules. Important to check technical condition the device you are using - replace the battery in the digital thermometer, if necessary, adjust the infrared, make sure the integrity of the mercury. If there is any doubt about the reliability of the results obtained - for example, the child's forehead is hot, and the device shows a normal temperature, repeat the procedure or measure the indicator on another part of the body.

mercury thermometer

Before using a mercury thermometer, shake it to bring down the mercury column to the minimum value on the scale, less than 35 ° C. The instrument must be dry and clean if you are measuring orally or rectally, necessary condition The use of the thermometer is its preliminary disinfection. For glass thermometers, in order to avoid damage, there are rules for careful storage in a case.

During the procedure in the armpit, the device is kept in a state of equilibrium, tightly pressed against the body for the required time. For oral measurement, the device is placed under the tongue, which closes tightly, breathing through the nose. During the rectal measurement method, the patient is positioned in lying position on the side, the thermometer is inserted through the sphincter into the rectum and held for two to three minutes.

Time for measuring body temperature with a mercury thermometer

When using contact thermometers, the type of which is mercury, the time during which the measurement is taken is important. Depending on the place of measurement, it is:

• 5-10 minutes - for the axillary method;
• 2-3 minutes - for rectal;
• 3-5 minutes - for oral.

Electrothermometer

Digital measuring instruments must be used when you want accurate and fast results. Function sound signal, which is supplied with electrothermometers, facilitates the control of the thermometry, as it notifies the user of the completion of the measurement process. They produce so-called instant thermometers, which, due to the high sensitivity of the thermoelement, give a result in 2-3 seconds.

Remote temperature measurement

Measurement of temperature indicators at a distance is a convenient property of infrared thermometers. These devices are the result of high-tech laboratory development, which determines the quality of their work and the accuracy of the data obtained. They do not have a harmful effect on the body, and are suitable for both immobilized patients and infants who are in constant motion.

Measurement algorithm

Using the correct algorithm for measuring body temperature, you will reduce the influence of external factors, be able to timely monitor changes in temperature indicators, thereby speeding up the patient's recovery process. With any method and use of any type of contact thermometer, follow the rules of hygiene and disinfection of the devices themselves. The algorithm for using a mercury thermometer:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Take the device out of the case.
3. Shake it gently but firmly while keeping your index finger on the reservoir.
4. Make sure the mercury column is below 35°C.
5. Take a measurement.
6. Disinfect the thermometer after completing the procedure.
7. Write down the received data.

Measurement of body temperature in the armpit

By adhering to the following algorithm, you will understand how to measure the temperature in the armpit with any thermometer in order to get an accurate value and not use another method:

• take measurements several times a day, at regular intervals;
• press the thermometer tightly to the body to avoid the free position of the thermometer;
• keep your body still during the procedure;
• record the upper and lower indicators in writing during the day.

Under which armpit to measure

The physical sensitivity of the right and left axilla is the same, so it does not matter which one you use to measure temperature. If you wish, you can remove the value from both the right and left sides several times to make sure that you get the same data as a result. If there are doubts about the correctness of the result obtained, you can always measure the temperature in another sensitive area, in the groin area, for example.

In the mouth

The answer to the question of how to measure the temperature in the mouth correctly lies in the following two main points - the position of the thermometer and the measurement time. Place the device under the tip of the tongue, press it firmly and close your mouth. To obtain data, hold this position for two to three minutes, breathing through your nose, evenly and calmly. Before carrying out the procedure, be sure to treat the thermometer with a disinfectant wipe.

Processing thermometers

A clean, disinfected thermometer is an important condition for obtaining correct data when measuring indicators. The treatment of the device should be carried out after each procedure; at home, this can be done using wipes soaked in any disinfectant alcohol composition. After disinfection, the device is wiped dry and placed in a storage case.

Unfortunately, everyone had to deal with such a nuisance as temperature. Since childhood, we are accustomed to a thermometer under the armpit. But try to measure the temperature in this way little child, who wriggles, waves his arms and never wants to sit in his mother's arms. A miracle of technology comes to the aid of parents - an electronic thermometer, or even a completely magical tool - infrared. And this is where the problem arises. A lot of money has been paid, a miracle of technology is available, the temperature is obvious :-(, and the thermometer readings do not go into any gates. Defective? Most likely not, it's just that electronic thermometers have their own specifics and simple rules for measuring temperature. So, how to measure temperature correctly : rectally, under the arm, in the mouth, on the forehead, taking into account the specifics of modern thermometers.

How to measure temperature correctly

How to measure temperature with a mercury thermometer.

1. Wipe the armpit properly with a napkin so that during the temperature measurement the thermometer does not cool due to the evaporation of sweat.
2. Place the thermometer so that the entire mercury reservoir is in contact with the body on all sides. deep point armpit and did not move during the temperature measurement.
3. Press your shoulder and elbow against your body so that the armpit is closed and the thermometer does not move.
4. The time for measuring body temperature in the armpit is 7-10 minutes.

1. If there are removable dentures, they must be removed.
2. Place the tip of the thermometer under the tongue to the right or left of the frenulum.
3. The mouth must be kept tightly closed so that cold air does not enter.
4. The time for measuring body temperature in the oral cavity is 3-5 minutes.

How to measure temperature with an electronic thermometer.

1. The measurement time depends on the model of the thermometer. The instructions usually indicate that body temperature must be measured before the signal. On average, this is from 30 seconds to 1 minute. BUT!
2. There is one caveat! The signal of many electronic thermometers is designed to measure rectal temperature. To obtain an adequate result from such a thermometer, it must be held under the armpit for 5 minutes without paying attention to the signal.
3. The temperature in the mouth correct staging thermometer is measured before the signal.

1. Before insertion into the rectum, the tip of the thermometer should be lubricated with petroleum jelly or oil.
2. The adult patient is in a lateral position small child placed on the stomach.
3. Turn on the thermometer, wait until the starting indicator is set (for more details, see the instructions for the specific model).
4. The thermometer is gently inserted into the rectum to a depth of 2-3 cm.
5. After insertion, the thermometer is held between the straightened middle and index fingers hands. The buttocks should fit snugly against one another to exclude the influence of cold air.
6. You can not sharply enter the thermometer, firmly fix it in the rectum, move while measuring body temperature.
7. The time for measuring body temperature in the rectum is 1-2 minutes, or until the beep.

How to measure temperature correctly infrared thermometer.

1. Wipe off sweat from your forehead if your forehead is damp, so that sweat evaporation does not cool your forehead during temperature measurement.
2. Turn on the thermometer and wait until the starting indicator is set (for more details, see the instructions for the specific model).
3. Place the thermometer against your left temple so that the surface of the thermometer is in full contact with your forehead.
4. Press the button and, holding it down (unless otherwise indicated in the instructions for a particular model), swipe from the left temple to the right. Make sure that the measuring surface does not come off the forehead.
5. Release the button, wait for the signal to end the measurement.
6. After the signal, the thermometer can be taken away from the temple and the measurement results can be viewed.
7. The entire measurement cycle, including the preparation of the thermometer, will take you a few seconds.

• armpit 36.3 - 36.9 0 С;
• on the forehead 36.3 - 36.9 0 С;
• in the mouth 36.8 - 37.3 0 С;
• rectally 37.3 - 37.7 0 С;
• in the ear 37.3 - 37.7 0 C.

Body temperature is checked in different ways:

1. Rectally - in the rectum.
2. Orally - in the mouth.
3. Under the arm.
4. On the forehead - for this, infrared scanners are used to check the artery.
5. In the ear - also with the help of scanners.

For each method, there are electronic thermometers specially designed for each location. There are plenty to choose from. But there is a problem: cheap (sometimes not very cheap) devices often lie or fail. Therefore, when choosing electronic thermometer do not save, be sure to read the reviews and at least once check the indications of mercury.

The latter, by the way, is preferred by many. The maximum mercury thermometer (as the thermometer is correctly called) costs a penny and is quite accurate, which cannot be said about many electronic devices with “so-so” quality. However, it is dangerous because it is easy, and glass fragments and mercury vapor have not made anyone even healthier.

It doesn't matter which thermometer you use, read the instruction manual first.

After each use, it would be good to clean the thermometer: wash it, if possible, or wipe it with an antiseptic. Be careful if the thermometer is sensitive to moisture and may deteriorate. It's embarrassing to mention, but still, a rectal thermometer should not be used anywhere else.

How to measure the temperature under the arm

Most often, we measure the temperature under the arm with a conventional mercury or electronic thermometer. Here's how to do it right:

1. Do not take temperature after eating physical activity. Wait half an hour.
2. Before starting the measurement, the glass thermometer must be shaken off: the mercury column should show less than 35 ° C. If the thermometer is electronic, just turn it on.
3. The armpit should be dry. Sweat must be wiped off.
4. Keep your hand firmly pressed. In order for the temperature under the arm to become the same as inside the body, the skin must warm up, and this takes time. It is better to press the child’s shoulder on your own, for example, taking the baby in your arms.
5. The good news is that if you follow the previous rule, a mercury thermometer will take 5 minutes, not 10, as is commonly believed. Many electronic thermometers respond to changes in temperature and measure as long as these changes are present. Therefore, if the hand is not pressed, the temperature can change for a long time and the results will be inaccurate.

How to measure temperature rectally

This method is needed when it is necessary to check the temperature of infants: it is difficult for them to hold their hand, putting something in their mouth is unsafe, and expensive infrared sensor not everyone has.

1. The part of the thermometer that you will insert into the rectum must be lubricated with petroleum jelly or petroleum jelly (sold at any pharmacy).
2. Put the child on his side or on his back, bend his legs.
3. Gently insert the thermometer into the anus by 1.5-2.5 cm (depending on the size of the sensor), hold the child while the measurement is in progress. A mercury thermometer must be held for 2 minutes, an electronic one - as long as it is written in the instructions (usually less than a minute).
4. Remove the thermometer, look at the data.
5. Treat the child's skin, if necessary. Wash the thermometer.

How to measure the temperature in the mouth

This method is not suitable for children under four years of age, because at this age children cannot yet hold the thermometer with guarantee. Do not take your mouth temperature if you have eaten something cold in the last 30 minutes.

1. Wash the thermometer.
2. The sensor or reservoir of mercury should be placed under the tongue and hold the thermometer with your lips.
3. Use an ordinary thermometer to measure the temperature for 3 minutes, electronic - as much as necessary according to the instructions.

How to measure the temperature in the ear

For this, there are special infrared thermometers: it is useless to put other thermometers in the ear. Children under 6 months of age do not have their ear temperature taken. Age guidelines, because due to developmental features, the results will be inaccurate. You can measure the temperature in your ear only 15 minutes after you have returned from the street.

Pull your ear a little to the side and insert the thermometer probe into your ear. It takes a few seconds to measure.

Uptodate.com

Some infrared devices measure the temperature on the forehead, where the artery passes. Data from the forehead or from the ear is not as accurate Fever: First aid, as with other measurements, but they are fast. And for household measurement it doesn't matter if your temperature is 38.3 or 38.5 °C.

How to read a thermometer

The result of the measurement depends on the accuracy of the thermometer, the correctness of the measurements and where the measurements were taken.

The temperature in the mouth is higher than under the arm by 0.3-0.6 °C, rectal - by 0.6-1.2 °C, in the ear - up to 1.2 °C. That is, 37.5 ° C is an alarming figure for measuring under the arm, but not for rectal.

Also, the rate depends on age. In children up to a year, rectal up to 37.7 ° C (36.5-37.1 ° C under the arm), and there is nothing wrong with that. The 37.1°C under the arm that we suffer from becomes a problem with age.

In addition, there are individual features. The temperature of a healthy adult ranges from 36.1 to 37.2 ° C under the arm, but someone's personal norm is 36.9 ° C, and someone's is 36.1. The difference is big, so in an ideal world it would be nice to take your temperature when you are healthy for the sake of interest, or at least remember what the thermometer showed there at the physical examination.

When body temperature rises, fever occurs. A slight heat is usually beneficial as it indicates the body's ability to fight infection, as many pathogens can thrive in a narrow range of temperatures. However, too high a temperature (39.4 ° C and above in adults) is dangerous, in which case the body temperature should be closely monitored and, if necessary, brought down with medication. A digital ear thermometer, sometimes called tympanic (from the word "tympanum" - eardrum), allows you to quickly and easily measure body temperature in both an adult and a child. Ear thermometers measure the amount of infrared radiation (heat) emitted from the eardrum in the ear, and in most cases, they show the correct temperature.

Steps

Part 1

For newborns, it is better to use a rectal thermometer. The most appropriate type of thermometer is mainly determined by age. A digital rectal thermometer is recommended for measuring the body temperature of babies from birth until about six months of age, as it is considered the most accurate. Ear thermometer accuracy is affected by earwax, ear infections, and narrow, swirling ear canals, making this type of thermometer less suitable for newborns.

Use an ear thermometer for infants with caution. Up to about three years of age, rectal thermometers give the most accurate results. For children younger than three years old, an ear thermometer can also be used to get a general idea of ​​body temperature (which is better than nothing), but it should be remembered that at this age, readings of rectal, axillary and temporal (applied to the temporal artery) are considered more accurate. ) thermometers. A relatively small increase in temperature in infants may represent b O greater danger than in adults, so at this age the accuracy of the thermometer is especially important.

• It is quite common for newborns and infants to have ear infections that distort the readings of an ear thermometer due to inflammation of the auditory canal. In such cases, the ear thermometer usually gives too high readings, so if only one ear is affected by the infection, take the temperature in the second as well.
• Conventional digital thermometers can measure temperatures in the mouth (under the tongue), under the arm, or in the rectum, and are suitable for newborns, infants, older children, and adults.

1. For a child over three years old, any thermometer will do. After the age of three, children are less likely to have ear infections, and it is much easier for them to clean their ears by removing wax from them. Wax buildup in the ear canal distorts the ear thermometer readings, preventing it from registering the heat emanating from the eardrum. In addition, by the age of three, the auditory canal grows and becomes less curved. Therefore, from the age of three, all types of thermometers used in different parts of the body have approximately the same accuracy.

   • If you, when measuring the temperature of a child's body with an ear thermometer, doubt his testimony, measure the rectal temperature with a conventional digital thermometer and compare the results.
   • In the past decade, ear thermometers have become more widely available and are now available at many pharmacies and health supply stores.

   Part 2

   Temperature measurement

   1. Clean your ear first. Since the accumulation of wax and other dirt in the ear canal can reduce the accuracy of the ear thermometer, you should thoroughly clean the ear before taking the temperature. Do not clean the ear with a cotton swab or the like, as wax and other dirt may then block the eardrum. The most secure and effective method to clean the ear canal is to put a few drops of olive oil, almond oil, mineral oil or a special liquid for the ears into it. The oil or ear drops will soften the wax and it can be washed out with water using a small rubber bulb to wash the ears. Wait until the ear canal is dry before taking the temperature.

      • If there is wax or other dirt in the ear canal, the ear thermometer will show a low temperature.
      • Do not attempt to take the temperature in the ear if it is painful, infected, damaged, or has recently been operated on.

   2. Put a sterile cap on the tip of the thermometer. After taking the ear thermometer out of the box and reading the instructions, put a disposable sterile cap on its tip. Since you will be inserting the tip of the thermometer into the ear canal, it must be kept clean so as not to introduce an ear infection, to which young children are particularly prone. If, for any reason, the thermometer does not have sterile caps, or if they run out, wipe the thermometer tip with a disinfectant (alcohol, white vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide).

      • An excellent antiseptic is colloidal silver, which can be made at home, which will save you money.
      • Caps can only be reused if you carefully sterilize them. clean them up after And before use.

   3. Pull the ear back and insert the thermometer. Taking the thermometer in your hand, turn it on, and, trying not to move your head (or holding the child's head in place), pull back the upper part of the auricle, slightly aligning and thereby slightly opening the auditory canal so that the tip of the thermometer can be inserted into it more easily. More precisely, the adult's ear should be slightly pulled up and then back; if it is a child's ear, gently pull it straight back. By straightening the ear canal, you will not damage it and avoid irritation by sticking the tip of the thermometer into it, as well as increase the accuracy of measurements.

      • To insert the thermometer at the correct distance, follow the instructions that came with it. It is not necessary to touch the eardrum with the tip, as the thermometer is not designed for this.
      • When measuring temperature, the ear thermometer picks up infrared signals coming from the eardrum, so its tip should be pushed into the auditory canal at a distance sufficient to ensure that there are no gaps between it and the walls of the canal.

   4. Take readings. Gently insert the thermometer into the ear canal and hold it in place until you hear a beep (usually beeps) indicating that the temperature has been taken. After that, slowly and carefully remove the tip of the thermometer from the ear canal and read the temperature by looking at the digital display. Do not rely on your memory and write down the measured value - perhaps it will be useful to the doctor.

   Part 3

   Interpretation of readings

   Consider temperature differences. Various parts of the body healthy person can have different temperature. For example, average normal temperature in the armpit in an adult is 36.6 ° C, and in the oral cavity (under the tongue) - 37 ° C, while the temperature of the eardrum is slightly higher and can reach 37.8 ° C, which is considered a normal value. In addition, the body temperature of a healthy person depends on gender, the level of physical activity, the amount of food and drink consumed, the time of day, and the menstrual cycle. All of these factors should be considered when determining whether a person has a fever.

   1. Determine if there is a fever. In view of all the above factors and the fact that measurements may be inaccurate due to the error of the thermometer and your mistakes, measure the temperature several times; it is best to use different thermometers in different parts of the body. Compare readings and average them. In addition, watch out for other signs of fever, such as sweating at rest, headache, muscle aches, weakness, loss of appetite, increased thirst.

      • Based on a single temperature measurement with an ear thermometer, no action or treatment should be taken.
      • Children can be seriously ill without a fever, or be completely healthy at temperatures up to 37.8 ° C, so do not rely only on thermometer readings and look for other symptoms.

      Warnings

      • The information in this article does not constitute medical advice. If you think you or someone close to you has a high temperature, contact your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
      • Contact your doctor if your child has fever accompanied by vomiting, severe headache or pain in the abdomen.
      • If your child develops a fever after being in a hot car, seek immediate medical attention.
      • Call the doctor if your child has a high fever for 3 days or more.