More accurate than rectal(1) or temple(2)
Measuring core body temperature would be ideal to determine if somebody has a fever. Core body temperature is the temperature of the vital organs such as the heart and the brain. Since it is not feasible to take a temperature at these sites in domestic use or in doctor’s offices, more accessible sites have been identified.
As the eardrum shares blood supply with the temperature control center in the brain it accurately reflects core body temperature. Therefore, changes in body temperature are reflected sooner and more accurately in the ear than at other sites. So the ear is an excellent site to measure temperature and is clinically proven a reliable indicator of core body temperature.
No consumer method is more accurate
- Rectal temperatures lag behind changes in core body temperature and therefore are not always a reliable indicator. Additionally rectal measurement bears the risk of cross-contamination.
- Temple measurements take skin not core body temperatures. Therefore the measured temperature can be influenced by external factors such as sweating or drafts.
- Oral temperatures can be influenced by drinking, eating and breathing.
- Axillary temperatures only measure skin temperature and therefore, are not a reliable indicator of core body temperature.
Clinical studies confirm that ear thermometers reflect changes in core body temperature faster than rectal and more accurate than rectal or temple measurements.
(1) Measurements in detecting temperature changes
(2) Nimah M et al, Pediatr Crit Care Med Suppl, 2003
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More accurate than rectal(1) or temple(2)
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