How to read a thermometer
Disease description:
Doctor, my husband hasn't been feeling very well recently. I took his temperature, but I'm not quite sure how to read the thermometer. I'm using a common mercury thermometer. I see a silver line inside, but I don't know how to determine the temperature from it. Could you please teach me?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Thermometers are commonly used medical instruments primarily for monitoring body temperature. Common types of thermometers include mercury thermometers and digital thermometers. When reading a mercury thermometer, the eye should be level with the top of the mercury column; for digital thermometers, simply observe the display screen.
For traditional mercury thermometers, shake the mercury column down below 35°C before use. Place it under the armpit, in the mouth, or in the rectum, depending on the intended measurement site. Leave it in place for 5-10 minutes depending on the location. When reading the thermometer, ensure that your eyes are level with the top of the mercury column to ensure accuracy.
A normal body temperature generally ranges between 36°C and 37°C. If the temperature exceeds 37.3°C, it may indicate a fever. When taking the reading, ensure your eyes are level with the top of the mercury column to avoid errors caused by viewing from above or below. If uncertain, taking multiple readings and calculating the average will yield a more accurate result.
If mercury thermometers are difficult to use, digital thermometers are a convenient alternative. Digital thermometers typically display the temperature directly on the screen. To obtain an accurate reading, ensure sufficient measurement time and carefully observe the displayed value.
