Which One REALLY Works?

[PB&J]

I’ve posted before about no-contact thermometers and how they always register 97.1 - 97.7. BC gave good advice to use each child’s results as a baseline. and I’m still getting “but it’s not a fever.” For example, one child registered 98.9 and when I read it, I said “uh oh.” Mom said, “what? That’s not a fever.” I pointed out that it’s 1.5 degrees higher than her “normal” and mom insisted that the handbook says 100….not 98.9. Yes, it’s my business and I can stand my ground…..but what I really want is a no-contact thermometer that is accurate! I got the iHealth one based on 120K+ reviews, but it still shows 97.3 as the average “normal” temp. Does anyone have one that shows around 98.3 - 98.6 as normal?? I personally run low, but never 97.1 or so! I’m about to change the handbook and include a table that bases a fever on the device used to take the temp!!

[Cat Herder]

I always double check with a digital when in doubt. Under arm, add 1. - Remain still and wait for the thermometer's beep to signal that it is finished. After the beep, promptly remove the thermometer. Add one degree to the temperature displayed. For example, if the thermometer reads the temperature as 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit, add one degree, making it 98.6 degrees, which is a normal body temperature. - How to Read an Underarm Temperature With a Digital Thermometer (healthfully.com)

This is also how we are trained in paramedic school.

[PB&J]

We definitely doublecheck. Pre COVID we only did the armpit one, but when regs called for screening everyone at drop off we had to move to a faster system. When we are in doubt, we do the armpit.

[Cat Herder]

Just an educational FYI - Digital Axillary and Non-Contact Infrared Thermometers for Children - PubMed (nih.gov)

[PB&J]

Thank you! I’ll check this out; I do like to know the “why”. In previous research today I did see NIH.com did a study on one thermometer but I didn’t find it with a quick search. Will need some time.

[Alwaysgreener]

I was going to post something similar about my thermometers. I just took my temp with my three forehead thermometers. From left to right 97.9/97.5/98.6. The penguin one I had the longest, when lock down happened I ordered the heart one but didn't like it. Then I got the mickey one.

Well I always used penguin most kids have a 97.1-98.0 with that one. Last week penguin battery was dead so I grabbed mickey. Mickey scanned 100.4 for the new baby 3x. Dcm took her home with out complaining.

Bany came back this week and I used my penguin again and she was 98.0. Later on the day I tested her with both and penguin was always in the 97-98 range where mickey was in the 99-100 range. Today she never went over 99 with Mickey.

[PB&J]

I see the penguin is Safety First. What is the Mickey one? Thank you - I’m going to check these out.

[Alwaysgreener]

It's a Braun. My mom talked me into using that one because she says one of her doctors uses it and she does too. It shows green and yellow and I think red if the temp is too high. It seems to be accurate compared to the other two, the problem is the baby keeps coming up 99 or higher when I use it.

[Gemma]

I've tried two different kinds and neither one is accurate so when I'm in doubt, I use the regular thermometer

[Blackcat31]

I’ve never excluded based on fever alone (I would but it’s never happened) All the kids Ive sent home or excluded had more symptoms other than just a fever so I guess I go by elevated temp (for each kids norm) AND other symptoms
Not sure how I’d manage a fever with no other symptoms

[Cat Herder]

The "fever with no other symptoms" is pretty common down here. Typically it is from getting into a vehicle before it is cooled enroute to daycare. I usually wait 20 minutes of being in the AC before checking again. Same with after nap. Some of these kids sleep so hot.

I never rule anything a fever unless it is sustained over 20 minutes. I also don't require them to have a fever to be sent home. "Not playing, eating, participating or feeling well" is good enough for me. I don't have to send them home very often at all. Especially now that "that" DCM is gone.

[Alwaysgreener]

Cat Herder at from your perspective could a forehead temp higher than the body?

The baby has excess water on the head, according to DCD, (her head is 99% and body is 1%), she has only been here for a week so I am just getting to know her. The penguin temps her 97-98 but the mickey temps at 99-100. Her body never seems that warm but her head always does. I plan on looking for a thermometer to test her armpit tomorrow.

[Cat Herder]

Yes. And sometimes the ears, good indicator of ear infection. I typically scan their belly, just above the navel.

[Sahm121]

I don’t think any of the touchless ones are very accurate and I have 3! I use the braun ear thermometer if I’m concerned, but I primarily look for symptoms versus fever.

[Alwaysgreener]

Cat Herder I took her armpit today and this is what I got 99.4. then I did butt and I got 99.8. I grabbed my ears and I'm put a new battery in it and I got 97.2. Mickey is 99.4 and penguin is 98.2 and heart is 98.6. Lol they were all taken at the same time. Which one do I go by? Do I add a degree to each one of those? Do I tell the parents I'm concerned that she gives me a 99?

[Cat Herder]

I'd add 1 to the digital axillary. 100.4. If it is still above 99 in 20 minutes or is accompanied by any other symptom, home she goes. BTW, I do not do rectal temps on other peoples kids in a private setting. Least invasive is preferred. Liability risk. Rectal perforation is no joke. - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/998611/

"Nursery outbreak of peritonitis with pneumoperitoneum probably caused by thermometer-induced rectal perforation"

[Alwaysgreener]

Oh my, I did not think of that, I have never done it before (other than my own kids) but I have always been told that rectal was the most accurate for a child. ugh. I will never do that again.

She has gone home at regular pick-up time. She temped 98.4 on the forehead just before pick up. She plays, eats, sleeps, and goes well except Monday when she was gassy. She has only been here a week and a half. She has been given me a fever of 99 every day except the first day. She is done for the week. I am not sure what to say to the parents about her temperature.

[Cat Herder]

Try scanning her belly upon arrival. Then wait 20 minutes. Always wait at least 20 minutes after lunch, nap or physical exercise. Body temp is not the main indicator of illness, behavior is. It is just one of many symptoms. Always look at the overall wellness of kid, not the equipment.

[Sahm121]

Could that be her normal Temp? My 11 year old DD always scans at 99.2-99.6, but she doesn’t have a fever. The pediatrician didn’t seem concerned when I brought it up. But when she has a fever she goes to 103-104 almost right away:

[Alwaysgreener]

Thank you, I have been wondering that. Her body does not feel warm just her head. Her head is large for her body, half her weight.

My DH is warm to the touch naturally but temps normal.

[GirlMomma]

I always feel their legs. For some reason, most of my DCKs get really warm legs when they get fevers.