Temperature measurement is measuring the body temperature. Sometimes this is needed, for example to determine whether a person has fever. The body temperature can be measured at various locations.
Indication
Measuring the body temperature is sometimes of medical importance, because a number of diseases are associated with typical symptoms, such as changes in body temperature. The course of such a disease may then be followed by temperature measurements and be effectively treated. Fever is a specific symptom, in which the body raises the temperature in order to increase the resistance to the disease process. Fever is the most common form of a disease-related rise in body temperature.
Working
The body temperature is measured with a thermometer. Humans have a normal body temperature between 36 and 37°C. A temperature between 37 and 38°C is called a slight temperature. Once the temperature rises above 38°C, it is called fever.
Procedure
There are several thermometers available. The most common is suitable for the anus, armpit or mouth. A fairly new version is the ear thermometer. The temperature can be measured at different places (anus, armpit, mouth, ear, forehead, vagina). Not every place, however, is equally reliable.
