Accurately Measure Your Temperature: A Step-by-Step Guide

Taking your own temperature using a thermometer is a simple task that is easier than taking the temperature of someone else. Checking your child for a fever, for example, can be challenging because the child may not happily hold the thermometer is his mouth. When you check your own temperature, you'll hold the thermometer in your mouth as long as is necessary to get the reading.

Things You'll Need

• Digital thermometer
• Rubbing alcohol

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Instructions

• 1

  Disinfect the thermometer with rubbing alcohol or warm water and soap. Rinse it with cold water, and then rub the thermometer dry with a clean towel.

• 2

  Press the digital thermometer's "Power" button, place the tip of the device under your tongue and hold it there as still as possible until the device notes a reading. While every thermometer is slightly different, digital models typically obtain a temperature reading after 10 seconds. Many will also beep when they log the reading.

• 3

  Remove the thermometer and note the reading. An average body temperature is 98.6 F. According to the Cleveland Clinic, your body can safely register a temperature 1 degree above or below that average.