Benedict is having an on-and-off fever for almost a week now. And during those times that his body temperature seems hotter than normal, i need to be sure whether he needs a dose of Dolan Fr Forte, Paracetamol (Calpol), or Opigesic suppository by the help of a thermometer.
The instruction of his Pediatrician, Dr. Joseph Regalado of Cardinal Santos Medical Center, is to (1) give him 1.5 ml Dolan every 6 hrs for temperature between 38 – 38.5. (2) give him 1.0 ml Paracetamol (Calpol) every 6 hours for temperature between 38.6 – 39 and (3) use Opigesic 125mg suppository every 6 hours for temperature above 39 degrees.
While constantly checking and monitoring his temperature, i found out that different thermometers give different result. When we were at Cardinal Santos ER last Friday night, the attending physician advised us that they will release us if Benedict’s temperature will be lower after the sponge bath they administered. After 30 minutes, I measured his temperature using our digital thermometer that i brought along with us and his temperature was 38.9 but when the doctor used the Ear thermometer, they got 39.4. I was surprised kasi ang laki ng difference ng result. According to the doctor, the temperature that the ear thermometer got is more accurate than the digital thermometer i have. (By the way, that digital thermometer was provided by JDMH where i gave birth. It was part of the kit).

Ear Thermometer

Basal Digital Thermometer
Last Monday night, my sister, Ling-ling couldn’t find the digital thermometer so she used the old thermometer that i have. That is the glass type with mercury inside.

Mercury Thermometer
When I used the mercury thermometer, it says that Benedict’s temperature was 37.7. But i was not satisfied with the result because i can feel that Benedict is really hotter than that so i find the digital thermometer and it gave me a 38.3 measurement.
I was going crazy with all the figures i am getting using different type of thermometer.
Yesterday we were at Dr. Regalado’s clinic again for a followup checkup since Benedict’s fever is recurring, he advised us to always follow the higher temperature that we got. He even gave a short lecture regarding human temperature and that body temperature could change in a matter of seconds.
Finally, he advised us that if we should buy and invest in a thermometer, get a TEMPORAL ARTERY Thermometer. Same with the one that he is using in his clinic but his is a hospital grade that costs around US$350. A cheaper one is available in the market for home use.

Temporal Artery Thermometer (TAT)
Below is the information i got from the Exergen’s website regarding the TAT:
The TemporalScanner Thermometer is a totally non-invasive system with advanced infrared technology providing maximum ease of use with quick, consistently accurate measurements. Advanced, patented technology measures temperatures with a gentle stroke across the forehead.
The TemporalScanner Thermometer has been clinically tested for accuracy compared to rectal thermometers and temperature sensors inserted in the heart during course of patient treatment and accepted for use in major hospitals, making it the ideal thermometer for use with newborns, infants, children or adults.
The TemporalScanner has patented software, providing arterial heat balance. This unique process determines temperature by accurately measuring the balance between the tissues warming from arterial blood and tissues cooling (warming) caused by heat loss (gain) to the environment.
Why take temperature measurements at the skin surface over the temporal artery?
The best place to measure temperature is the center of the heart, but this can be done only under a doctor’s supervision. Doctors know that measurement of the blood temperature in a major artery accurately reflects true body temperature. The TemporalScanner Thermometer is designed to measure the temperature of the skin surface over the temporal artery, a major artery of the head.
The temporal artery is connected to the heart via the carotid artery, directly leading from the aorta, the main trunk of the arterial system. It offers constant blood flow. It is the only such artery positioned close enough to the skin surface to provide access needed to take an accurate measurement. It is easy to use because it is ideally located at the front portion of the forehead. The TemporalScanner is easier and gentler to use than other types of measurement devices such as oral, rectal, underarm and in-ear thermometers because it is truly non-invasive.
How does the TemporalScanner Thermometer work?
As you gently stroke the thermometer across the forehead crossing over the temporal artery, the sensor in its probe performs two processes: |
First it scans like a video camera, capturing naturally emitted infrared heat from the arterial blood supply at about 1000 “frames” per second, locking in the highest temperature it senses and; |
Second, at the same time, a patented system measures the ambient temperature of the site where the temperature is being taken. The patented “arterial heat balance” (AHB) software then synthesizes the two separate readings to accurately determine and display body temperature. |
So, now i already know four (4) types of thermometer used to measure human’s body temperature. As to the accuracy issue, I think i’ll just have to follow what the doctor advised me. Always use the highest value as reference.