Fever Measurement In the rectum, it works best

Fever measurement: It works best in the butt
The peripheral fever measurement in the ear, armpit or mouth to determine the actual body core temperature is insufficiently precise. To this achievement came a meta-analysis from Kananda.

Measuring fever on the buttocks is most effective. Image: Rido - fotolia

According to the study authors, thermometers for peripheral measurement are not precise enough and should not be used if precise measurements of body temperature are required for diagnostic decisions. The alternative: rectal or central thermometer.

Canadian physicians have compared the precision of peripheral and rectal thermometers to determine core body temperature in adults and children using published studies. Included were 75 works with a total of 8,682 patients.

The study results show that most of the commercially available peripheral thermometers do not show body temperature accurately enough. This was especially evident in high fever and hypothermia, where there were deviations of 1 to 2 degrees from the current body core temperature. The study can be found here.