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A 29-year-old female asked:

Optical thermometer: forehead tem reads 98.7-- but experimenting with taking temperature over breastbone reads temp of 102. why so different?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Clarence Grim
Dr. Clarence Grimanswered
Endocrinology 59 years experience
Optical thermometer : Either Temperature must be hotter at breast bone or device is not accurate. Recheck with another thermometer. Reliable check body temp is to place thermometer into insulated plastic cup and pee into it and look at temp reading quickly. Used to check folks who may be using tricks to increase oral readings so they can be "sick" such as drinking hot water and before temp taker comes around.
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How reliable are forehead thermometers?I felt a bit feverish & I decided to check my temperature,but it keeps varying from 36.5 to 38C.What do I do?
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Which thermometer out of these two is more reliable for checking kids fever. Ear or Forehead temperature measuring type?
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A 52-year-old male asked:
My right ear is bright red & hot. My forehead thermometer says 97.9 on my forehead, 97.9 left earlobe, and 102.2 right earlobe. Oral temp 98.4. Do I have a fever of 102.2?? If not why would 1 ear be burning and red? Very stressed over COVID-19!
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A 32-year-old female asked:
My toddler often gets fevers of 101-ish just on his head. Is it weird that his body is "cool"(98-ish) while the forehead thermometer reads 101?
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Last updated Dec 7, 2018

People also asked

Good morning doctors. Is your temperature different (lower) when it is taken from a forehead scanner or from your inside wrist rather than from an oral thermometer?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Are there different normal readings for a thermometer type? For example, I have a forehead temple thermometer that will read high (99), while oral will read 98.
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I took my temp under my tounge with a digital thermometer 2 of them actually and got 98.4-98.8 used my forehead thermometer and its showing 99.7-100.5 wich one is more accurate?
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Why is my temperature 103.4 when outside in the sun using a forehead infrared thermometer and 98.2 inside about 20 minutes later? Which temperature is correct? Do I have a fever?
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Forehead temp 98.4, armpit temp 101.4, groin temp 101.9, all measured using infrared thermometer. Do I have a fever?
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