Every household with young children should possess a clinical thermometer. Young children, especially babies and infants, cannot properly describe their symptoms when they become ill. Many childhood diseases are associated with a raised temperature, sometimes inadequately described as a 'fever'.
The term 'fever' means different things to different people and I prefer to refer to a 'raised temperature'. Serious diseases such as encephalitis and viral and bacterial meningitis start off with fairly simple symptoms. Take measles, for examples. Measles can kill young children, and if it does not, can leave them with serious side-effects or complications such as hearing and visual defects, learning difficulties and brain damage.
The initial symptoms of measles are similar to those of a cold. A runny nose, a bit of a sniffle, a cough and eventually a sore throat. Temperature also rises to over 38 Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit). If you think that your child has measles, or if temperatures stays at or goes over 38 Celsius, you should inform your doctor immediately.
If you do not have a clinical thermometer, you cannot determine the child's temperature! You may notice your child becoming a bit flushed, and may feel warmer than normal to the touch. However, it is far better to be able to measure this accurately. With measles, the temperature starts to drop after a day or two, then increases again as the spots appear and go as high as 40C (104F). You should definitely have contacted a doctor by then, but if you have no thermometer you may not have noticed the increase in temperature.
In many cases the temperature increase is the only indication that your child has more than just a cough and a runny nose. There are various types of thermometer available suitable for children. The old glass type with the kink is not recommended for young children. Digital thermometers are better, though disposable ones in the form of plastics strips with temperature sensitive dots are very useful. One side is self adhesive to stick to the skin under the armpit and the dots change colour at different temperatures. They can be used while the child is asleep and are disposable or re-usable for a certain period of time.
An alternative safe method to this is the ear thermometer which measures the infrared heat emission from the eardrum. An infrared probe is inserted into the ear and the temperature measured. This is safe because the probe is too short to reach the eardrum, and is larger than an infants ear canal. This is the type of system employed in hospitals, and is available for purchase either online or from good pharmacies for from around £30 (). Forehead thermometers are also available, and traditional glass rectal thermometers can be used with infants by trained staff.
The second part of this article will give more detail on thermometer types and how they are used, and also discuss 'normal' body temperature and its natural fluctuations.
Thermometer technology has improved vastly in recent times. Lately, a new kind of thermometer-the laser thermometer-is becoming much talked about. As the name suggests, this thermometer works on the laser principle. But that's all most people know about them. Let's get to know these thermometers in a bit more detail here.
What Are Laser Thermometers?
These are thermometers that work on the principle of laser. When any substance is hot, it radiates this heat from all of its parts. This causes the molecules in this area to vibrate with greater velocity. Laser can measure this increase in velocity, and this is then converted into a temperature reading. This is the reading that a laser thermometer provides.
The shape of these thermometers is more or less like a gun. There's a region from where the laser is emitted. The laser ray is directly pointed to the surface whose temperature is to be measured. Though the path of the ray cannot be seen clearly, the point at which the ray touches the surface can be seen as a bright red dot. Within moments, the temperature of this incident area is reported by the thermometer.
Since any hot body will emit an equal amount of heat radiation from all of its parts, these laser based thermometers can be pointed at any point on the surface of the body. The reading is almost similar, irrespective of where this actual point is located. This becomes an advantage of laser thermometers over other thermometers, which need to be positioned in specific ways on the body whose temperature is to be measured.
Advantages
1. Laser thermometers don't really need to be brought in contact with the object whose temperature needs to be measured. They can even measure temperature from a remote location. It is only necessary that the path of the laser shouldn't be obstructed. It is for this reason that the laser-based thermometers are also called as non-touch thermometers.
2. The results are instantaneous. This is a great benefit, especially when creating clinical thermometers for infants. By using thermometers that work on the laser principle, it is no longer necessary to place the thermometer on the patient's body and wait for a minute before taking the reading.
3. All these thermometers are digital, which makes it much easier to get readings from them.
Applications
These thermometers find a lot of versatile uses.
1. They are used in measuring body temperatures, especially in the form of ear thermometers, which are extensively used for measuring body temperature in babies.
2. They are used to find the temperature of food. Whether food is just removed from the refrigerator or from the oven, these thermometers can accurately tell what its temperature is, which helps you decide whether you want to eat the food or wait a while.
3. They are used in industry in determining places where there might be heat leakages. A routine laser thermometer scan of the whole area will show if there's any place where there's excessive heating.
4. Similarly, they are used by firefighters. If a particular area is just about to catch fire, a laser thermometer will be able to find its increased temperature in advance, and hence it will give the firefighters some advance warning.
Infrared Thermometers Introduction
Now Infrared thermometers are widely used because of its reliability and versatility. The most striking features of this temperature is that it can measuring the temperature of the object even without touching it. So it is widely known in the name of non-contact thermometer.
How do the IR thermometers work?
Unlike the traditional thermometers, it is possible for an IR thermometer to detect temperature without any direct contact with the object, since it can detect the energy level of the subject to determine its temperature. There is a sensor in the infrared thermometer that can convert infrared energy of the object into temperature units. In this way it needs to take the regular ambient temperature into account and calculate the difference. The result can come out instantly.
Where to use the IR thermometers
The features of the IR thermometers -measure the temperature without touching the object makes it possible to gauge the objects that are miles away. It is popular used in many fields. Such as used in the meteorological department to forecast the weather, to measure body temperature and in food industry and so on. Some people hate touching a traditional thermometer under their tongue or underarms, the infrared thermometer is an ideal option for them. It can also be used in food processing industry as it can measure the temperature without contacting the food and thus preventing it from getting contaminated. This kind of thermometer can even measure the temperature of moving objects which is hard to measure by traditional temperature.
Different types of IR thermometers
There are many different types of IR thermometer, each has its own features. Mini Thermometers are pocket-sized which are perfect for technicians to gather a quick reading. Stick Style Thermometers are widely used, such as food preparation, fire safety, HVAC, electrical, and refrigeration. There are also many other types, the user can choose the type according to the purposes.
Buy it at an affordable price
The infrared thermometers used to be too expensive to own it, but the price has dramatically fallen for the developments in technology. You can own one now.
Do not wait any more, choosing a suitable infrared thermometer for yourself, your life can be more convenient.
Testo 830-t2 Ir W/dual Laser Dual Tech Thermometers Review
Testo 830-t2 Ir W/dual Laser Dual Tech Thermometers Feature
- Accuracy: +-1.
- Manufacturer's Part Number: 05608302.
- Series Number: 825.
- Working Distance: 6.
- Type: IR & K. No Description: 32352. Vendor Item Number: 05608258. Maximum Target Diameter: 1. Minimum Target Diameter: 3. Type: Contact/Non-contact Thermometers. Minimum Temperature (°F): -60. Maximum Temperature (°F): 750. Power Supply: 2 1.5AAA.
Testo 830-t2 Ir W/dual Laser Dual Tech Thermometers Overview
Contact/Non-Contact Thermometer Type: Contact/Non-contact Thermometers Minimum Temperature (°F): -60 Maximum Temperature (°F): 750Available at Amazon Check Price Now!
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 21, 2011 11:03:27