trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
the mercury thermometer that I have used FOR YEARS registers my afternoon temp often at 99.6
when i get my temp taken in the doc's office by electric therms under the tongue or in the ear (the ear ones are useless if you ask me) I always register at norm or SUBnorm.
I was forced to buy a thermometer when traveling recently and bought one that is mercury free but it doesnt use electricity. It LOOKS like mercury--has a siver thread in it...but I am not sure what it is. the box had little info.
ANHOW--- it registers my temp at 99 while the mercury registers it at 99.6
which one is right?
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
i believe the mercury thermometer is the most accurate. some errors, not inclusive, are due to having taken your oral temp. too soon after drinking a hot or cold beverage/food;
Posts: 2708 | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged |
robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
My gut feeling is that the mercury is the old standard and probably correct.... but that is just an opinion/guess.
your buddy, robi
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged |
trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
yes PQ i always make sure my mouth hasnt touched any food or drink for at least 15 and try for 30 minutes before taking temp.
I am with you Robi, but you already knew that. Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
| IP: Logged |
trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Nothing for sure but my feeling on thermometers is they are like bathroom scales (everyone a little different).
I just pick one and stay with it. At least I can tell if I'm going up and down.
(Ok, admittedly, if one doesn't show a fever as hot as I think I am I try another. )
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Back in the old days when we all used mercury....we had to adjust for where we took the temp.
If it was underarm, you added one degree. If it was rectal, you lowered one degree.
Oral was supposed to be right on, if the thermometer was used correctly. Shake the thermometer down well below 98.6....no foods or drinks for an hour or was it a 1/2 hour? Leave in the mouth at least three minutes for a correct temp.
Now that they use an area like the ear for temps, who knows? I would think they would have to raise the temp one degree at least to be accurate.
I searched the web and all I could find were citings that said the digitals have a degree of accuarcy within 0.06 and its about the same for mercury. Whether thats true or not, I don't know.
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic