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Taking Your Child's Temperature
If you suspect that your child has a fever, it's extremely important that you take your child's temperature properly. Once you have an accurate reading, you'll be able to determine if your child's temperature is high enough for you to give him fever-reducing medication or to call the pediatrician.
There are several different methods of taking a child's temperature. Each one has positives and negatives. Which one you use will depend on your child's age and your personal preferences.
Mercury thermometers used to be a common means of taking a child's temperature. This is no longer recommended. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents remove all mercury thermometers from their homes to eliminate the potential danger of being exposed to the toxin.
Here's the lowdown on the various acceptable methods of taking your child's temperature:
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I was unsure that a rectal temperature was accurate. Thank you for assuring me that this is the best way to take my toddler's temperature. Next time I'll know that I don't need to worry about whether it is higher or lower than the actual temperature you'd get orally.
10/1/2011 09:42:36 PM Report Abuse