Body temperature can be measured from the front. But there are other ways to take a child’s temperature. Depending on the age of your toddler, certain methods are preferred.

Taking your body temperature can detect the onset of fever, a symptom that may be a sign of an infection caused by bacteria or viruses. Fever is defined by an increase in the internal temperature of the body without any effort and in a moderate ambient temperature. A normal body temperature is between 36 ° C and 37,2 ° C. We speak of fever when this temperature exceeds 38 ° C.

Fever is a common symptom in babies and children with infection.

Body temperature can be measured:

• rectally (through the rectum);
• orally (through the mouth);
• axillary (under the armpit);
• through the ear (through the ear);
• temporally or frontal (with an infrared thermometer placed in front of the temple or forehead).

Whichever method is chosen, the temperature should be taken without any physical exertion, in a person normally covered and out of any very hot atmosphere.

The Gallium thermometer

This graduated glass thermometer contains a reservoir filled with liquid metals (gallium, indium and tin). These metals expand in the body of the thermometer under the effect of heat. The temperature can be read using the graduations. The Gallium thermometer is for oral, axillary and rectal use (those with a larger reservoir). This type of thermometer is now neglected in favor of electronic thermometers.

The electronic thermometer

The temperature is displayed on a liquid crystal display within seconds. It is used rectally, buccally and axillary.

The infrared thermometer

This is a thermometer equipped with an infrared probe. It measures body temperature through the infrared radiation emitted by the body. Infrared thermometers are used for taking ear (or tympanic), temporal, and frontal temperature.

Front crystal thermometers

In addition to the infrared thermometer, forehead temperature can be taken with the liquid crystal forehead thermometer. It takes the form of a strip to stick on the forehead and containing liquid crystals. These crystals react to heat and reveal a color according to the frontal temperature, on a graduated scale. This imprecise method is not recommended for taking body temperature.

If your child is under two years old

The preferred method is rectal measurement. It is the most accurate and reliable for children of this age. Before measuring your child’s temperature rectally, you can already check if he has a fever by using the axillary measurement. If he has a fever, take a rectal measurement again to get an accurate reading.

If your child is between 2 and 5 years old

Prefer the rectal method for an accurate reading. Seeing the auricular remains the 2nd choice and the axillary route the 3rd choice.

The oral route is not recommended for children under 5 years old because they may be tempted to bite the thermometer and it may break (if it is a glass thermometer).

If your child is over 5 (and adults)

Oral temperature measurement provides an exact reading. The atrial route remains the 2nd choice and the axillary route the 3rd choice.

The temperature measurement by frontal and temporal routes (using a specific infrared thermometer) is easy and very practical. On the other hand, they are not recommended in children because the measurements obtained are less reliable than those obtained by rectal, buccal, axillary and auricular routes. Indeed, to have a reliable result, the precautions for use must be carefully observed. Thus, the risk of not taking the temperature correctly is high with the frontal and temporal methods. In addition, the forehead is an area that poorly reflects body temperature and measurement by this route can be influenced by external or physiological elements (air flow, hair, sweat, vasoconstriction).

You should know that the normal variations in body temperature differ depending on the method chosen:

• If you choose the rectal route, a normal body temperature is between 36,6 and 38 ° C;
• If you choose the oral route, a normal body temperature is between 35,5 and 37,5 ° C;
• If you choose the axillary approach, a normal body temperature is between 34,7 and 37,3 ° C;
• If you choose the atrial route, a normal body temperature is between 35,8 and 38 ° C.

How to take the temperature by the rectum?

Clean the thermometer with cool water and soap and rinse it.

If it is a glass thermometer:

• make sure it is well equipped with a reservoir larger than that of an oral glass thermometer;
• shake it so that the liquid drops below 36 ° C.

To facilitate the introduction of the thermometer into the anus, cover the silver end with a little petroleum jelly. If you are measuring a baby’s temperature, place him on his back with his knees bent. Gently insert the thermometer into the rectum for a length of about 2,5 cm. Hold it in this position for 3 minutes (or until the beep if it is an electronic thermometer). Remove the thermometer and then read the temperature. Clean the object before putting it away. A thermometer that has been used rectally should not be used subsequently for oral intake.

The disadvantages of this method: it is the most uncomfortable for the child. In addition, the gesture must be delicate because there is a risk of ulceration of the rectum which could cause rectal bleeding.

How to take the temperature by mouth?

Clean the thermometer with cool water and soap and rinse it. If it is a glass thermometer, shake it so that the liquid drops below 35 ° C. Place the end of the thermometer under the tongue. Leave the instrument in place, mouth closed. Hold it in this position for 3 minutes (or until the beep if it is an electronic thermometer). Remove the thermometer and then read the temperature. Clean the object before putting it away.

The disadvantages of this method: the result can be distorted by several factors (recent ingestion of food or drink, breathing through the mouth). If the child bites the glass thermometer, it may shatter.

How to take the temperature by the ear?

The temperature is taken by the ear with an infrared thermometer with a tip allowing it to be inserted into the ear. Before use, read the thermometer instructions. Cover the instrument with a clean mouthpiece. Gently pull the pinna (the most visible part of the outer ear) both upwards and backwards to align the ear canal on the eardrum and thus free the latter. Gently insert the thermometer until it completely closes the ear canal. Press the button and hold the thermometer for one second. Remove it and read the temperature.

The disadvantages of this method: for an accurate measurement, the infrared probe must directly access the eardrum. However, this access can be disturbed by the presence of a plug of earwax, a bad position of the thermometer or the use of a dirty probe, impermeable to infrared rays.

How to take the temperature in the armpit?

Clean the thermometer with cool water and soap and rinse it. If it is a glass thermometer, shake it so that the liquid drops below 34 ° C. Read the instructions for the thermometer if it is an electronic device. Place the end of the thermometer in the center of the armpit. Place the arm against the torso to cover the thermometer. Leave it in place for at least 4 minutes if it is a glass device (or until beep if it is an electronic thermometer). Remove it and read the temperature. Clean the object before putting it away.

The disadvantages of this method: the temperature measurement is less reliable than for the rectal and oral routes because the armpit is not a “closed” area. The results can therefore be distorted by the outside temperature.

How to take the temporal and frontal temperature?

The temporal and frontal shots are carried out with specific infrared thermometers.

For a temporal grip, place the device at the temple, in line with the eyebrow. You should know that at the temple, the result obtained is less than 0,2 ° C compared to the rectal temperature.

For a frontal grip, place the device in front of the forehead.

The disadvantages of these methods: the risk of not taking the temperature correctly is high if the precautions for use are not scrupulously observed. In addition, the forehead is an area that poorly reflects body temperature and measurement by this route can be influenced by external or physiological elements (air flow, hair, sweat, vasoconstriction).