10.19.2009

Bring on the Fever

Back in August, SoJo had a terrible fever when we were at the beach. It was awful. He was so hot, and after rushing him to a 24 hour clinic, he was diagnosed with an ear infection. It would have been nice to have had an accurate, easy-to-use thermometer to have monitored his fever, particularly in its early stages. It would have allowed us to start him on a schedule of Tylenol or ibuprofen before the fever got too high.

Thanks to Parent Reviewers Network, we had the chance to try out the Exergen Temporal Scanner, an easy-to-use, non-invasive thermometer that takes a reading by moving the device across a person's forehead and temple.
The Exergen scanner is designed to measure the temperature of the skin surface over the temporal artery, a major artery of the head.

Thankfully, we were able to test it during a non-crisis situation, rather than during a stressful, feverish episode. The thermometer is extremely easy to use, even on a wiggly toddler who was very interested in the device and wanted to hold it rather than let me use it. It takes literally a few seconds to use, and you don't have to sit there waiting for an accurate reading while your child keeps a traditional thermometer under his tongue or arm.

To take a temperature, one simply presses and holds the single button on the Exergen Temporal Scanner, then lightly runs it across the center of the forehead to the temple.
Obviously one needs to make sure the hair is out of the way, but since I was trying to hold the thermometer and the camera, I couldn't move the hair too. You can also take a reading behind the ear, if the person is perspiring on the forehead from the fever.

When you've scanned the patient, release the button and the reading will show on the LED screen for 30 seconds. To do it again, just press the button. So simple, especially when you have an irritable, feverish child on you hands. I'm glad we have this thermometer ready and waiting for the next fever.

Thanks again to Parent Reviewers Network, who provided me with a sample of the Exergen Temporal Scanner to review.


9 comments:

Nicole Feliciano said...

I tested this last year, but couldn't get the darn thing to work properly. I tossed it and have been using our digital. Maybe they have improved it.

shortmama said...

Hopefully you wont actually be needing it any time soon!

JDaniel4's Mom said...

This sounds great. We aren't ready for one yet. When we are I will have to look into it.

Grad School Mommy said...

Our doctor's office has this beauty -- and I have always admired it. We have a digital ear reader, and I know it doesn't give accurate readings. With flu season upon us, it would be nice to have this version around. By the way, your little one is just adorable!

Naomi said...

I think they take a bit of practice but I definitely prefer this to oral thermometers. I like the ear ones, too. I can't even imagine trying to get a rectal temperature. Eeek.

Jennifer said...

Now that is a great idea. Oh how I wish they had those when my daughter was little. It was always a HUGE battle to take her temperature!

Leane said...

I think the pics are great!

The first one is adorable. You can tell he is wondering what you are doing.

JamericanSpice said...

I like this. I want one so bad!

It is the time of sickies so it would be nice.

Look at the precious SoJo :)

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