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THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG Committee on Health Promotion and Protection TAKING YOUR TEMPERATURE

2. The average normal oral temperature is 37C.
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Normal Body Temperature
The average normal oral temperature is 37C.
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3. Using a Glass Thermometer - Oral Temperature
If you use a glass thermometer, be careful so that you don’t drop it or cause it to break.
Do not put anything hot or cold in the mouth for at least 15 minutes before you take the temperature using an oral thermometer. The temperature in the mouth affects the accuracy of the reading.
Normal body temperature is 37C using a mouth thermometer.
Remove the thermometer from its holder. If it is dirty, clean it with some alcohol.
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4. Check that the silver mercury level is at or below 35C.
Shake the thermometer down if the silver mercury column is above 35C. To do this :
- Hold thermometer at the clear tip end between your thumb and index finger.
- Twist your wrist sharply downward so the thermometer flicks rapidly.
- Repeat this motion until the column of mercury is below 35C.
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5. Keep the thermometer in place for 2 minutes.
Place the bulb of the thermometer under the tongue in the back of the mouth.
Hold the thermometer in place with the tongue and keep the lips closed.
Keep the thermometer in place for 2 minutes.
Remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
How to Read the Thermometer :
- Hold the thermometer by its clear end between your thumb and forefinger.
- Hold it at eye level with the scale toward you.
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6. - Rotate the thermometer until the silver mercury column is visible.
- The division between the long lines is 0.5C and each small line in between the long lines equals 0.1C.
- Look at the point where the silver mercury column stops to the nearest 0.1C.
- If the column stops between 2 lines, read it to the nearest 0.1C toward normal temperature.
- Clean the thermometer with alcohol swab and then place it back in the holder.
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7. Using a Digital Thermometer - Ear Temperature
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Using a Digital Thermometer
- Ear Temperature
Take the thermometer out of its holder.
Put the tip into a plastic earpiece that can be thrown away when you are done.
Press the button to turn the thermometer on.
Hold the person’s head or tell the person not to move his/her head.
Gently pull the ear up and then back.
Put the covered tip in the ear opening. Do not push hard or use force.
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8. Remove the thermometer when numbers show up in the window.
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Keep the thermometer in place and press the “Activation” button for one second or until it beeps.
Remove the thermometer when numbers show up in the window.
Read the numbers in the window. These numbers are your temperature.
Write your temperature down if you are to keep a record of your temperature.
Remove the plastic cover and throw it away.
Place the thermometer back in its holder.
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