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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Where Should A Thermometer Be Usually Held For Checking The Temperature ?

while using a thermometer one should check the under arm temperature or mouth temperature. My son is 17 months old.... he had fever last week..... when he was sleeping i kept our digital thermometer in his mouth, that time reading was more in comaprison to wat i got from underarm at the same instance. kindly advice.
Fri, 20 Jan 2012
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Orthopaedic Surgeon 's  Response
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If the child is co-operative it would be wise to check oral temperature as under arm temperature is not as sensitive to the body's real core temperature as the oral and rectal temperatures. The under arm or axillary temperature is 0.5-1 deg F lesser than oral temperature. Most accurate will be rectal temperature measured my rectal theromometer only, then comes oral temperature, then axillary.
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Dr. GEETA PARANJAPE's  Response
Welcome
Your observation is correct.Mouth temp. is a little more than underarm temp.
when u are checking for temp.in fever,always go for temp. in a same place,either mouth or underarm.It will be easier for u to compare for rise or fall.

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Where Should A Thermometer Be Usually Held For Checking The Temperature ?

Welcome to Healthcare Magic If the child is co-operative it would be wise to check oral temperature as under arm temperature is not as sensitive to the body s real core temperature as the oral and rectal temperatures. The under arm or axillary temperature is 0.5-1 deg F lesser than oral temperature. Most accurate will be rectal temperature measured my rectal theromometer only, then comes oral temperature, then axillary.