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A thermometer is a simple medical device used to measure your body temperature, which is one of the four main vital signs.
There are three main types of thermometers, namely: glass thermometers (mercury or ethanol thermometers), digital thermometers, and infrared thermometers.
Type of thermometer | How it works | Measurement sites |
Glass thermometer | The mercury*/ethanol inside expands with higher temperatures. | Oral, rectal or armpit |
Digital (electronic) thermometer | The resistance of the thermistor (thermal + resistor) varies with the temperature. Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistors have less resistance at higher temperatures, while Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistors have more resistance at higher temperatures. | Oral, rectal or armpit |
Infrared thermometer | Measures the thermal radiation (infrared) emitted from the body. A higher level of infrared indicates a higher temperature. | Ear or forehead |
* It is not recommended to use a mercury-in-glass thermometer anymore as mercury is harmful to humans. It could poison you if the thermometer breaks and the mercury is released. It is hazardous to the environment too, so pay extra attention to its disposal. Please refer to the Environmental Protection Department’s guide on recycling mercury thermometers.
A thermometer is a simple, non-invasive and fast method to monitor body temperature. Elevated or low body temperatures may indicate certain health conditions.
A high body temperature (usually over 38°C or 100.4°F) can indicate:
A low body temperature (i.e. hypothermia) (usually under 35°C or 95°F) can indicate:
Thermometers can also be used to track ovulation, helping women who want to conceive to increase their success rates.
The basal body temperature (BBT) is a person's at-rest temperature. You can measure your BBT in the morning before you get out of bed. Because your temperature varies based on the time of day, your physical activity, and the food and beverages you’ve consumed, it is important to measure your body temperature by the same method, at the same time, and under the same conditions each day to obtain a comparable result.
Just before your ovary releases an egg, your body temperature decreases a little. Your temperature then increases 24 hours after the egg is released and remains elevated for several days. A woman's BBT is typically 36.1-36.4°C (97-97.5°F) prior to ovulation. After ovulation, it rises to 36.4-37°C (97.6-98.6°F). Women can track their BBT to find out when they are ovulating.
However, as the body temperature is affected by many other factors, e.g. illness, stress, interrupted sleep cycles, etc, and a woman’s cycle can change, tracking your ovulation alone is not a reliable contraception method.
The directions for using a thermometer depend on its type and the measurement sites, therefore it is best to follow the instructions on the package. Some general directions are listed below.
The "normal" body temperature varies from person to person. The normal body temperature for an adult is between 36.1°C (97°F) and 37.2°C (99°F). The range for infants and young children is 36.6°C (97.9°F) to 38°C (100.4°F), which is a little higher.
Core temperature | Surface temperature | ||||
Measurement sites | Oral | Ear | Rectal | Forehead | Armpit |
Reference level for fever | > 37.5°C (99.5°F) | > 38°C (100.4°F) | > 38°C (100.4°F) | > 36°C (96.8°F) | > 37.3°C (99.1°F) |
Since surface temperature is more susceptible to changes in the surroundings, it is considered less accurate for gauging body temperature.
Source: Medical Device Division, Department of Health, HKSAR
In Hong Kong, a thermometer can be purchased from medical device shops, pharmacies, electronic appliances stores and other retail outlets.
For a healthy adult, body temperature can range from 36.1°C (97°F) to 37.2°C (99°F). Babies and children have a slightly higher range of 36.6°C (97.9°F) to 38°C (100.4°F).
It depends on where you take the temperature.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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