What's an accurate thermometer?
 

I often get sick (Probably once every one to two months I come down with a cold or a cough that keeps me bed ridden for two or three days), and whenever this happens I generally check my temperautre and get something in the realm of 96-97 degrees, rarely does it hit 98. Today's another day where I'm going through the hot/cold random stages and I can feel that I'm feverish on my face, but my thermometer registers 97.2. Later after that I'll eventually go to a doctor's and be running around a 101 degree fever, and it just makes no sense. It's been like this for the last two thermometers I've had, the thermometer difference.

Does anyone have any suggestions for an accurate one for me to pick up to help me in this case? Any help is appreciated.

Well... the rectal thermometers are supposed to work very well. ;)

Either you got crappy thermometers or you're not doing it right. Make sure you keep the bulb firmly under your tongue.

I don't know how well the ear ones work.

Most drug stores sell the electronic ones that take their reads fast. They're not very expensive and pretty accurate. The good ones can be used underarm (Axiel?), Oral, or anal and suggest 'adjustments' for the underarm readings. I also have one of the IR, ear units, but you have to hit those JUST right anbd verify the measurement a few times in each ear. However, they are fast, but a bit expensive.

I don't think mouth thermometers work for me either; they always seem low. We got an ear thermometer for my toddler, I should probably do a comparison run for myself when I get a chance.

The have new forehead thermometers, where they just run them across the vein that goes across your forehead. I'm not sure how well you'd be able to do it on yourself though. I've used them on kids that don't like to sit still for very long and will not tolerate things in their ears. From what I've seen, it was accurate.

I've been taught in Pharmacy school that the forehead ones are crap. The mouth ones work, but you've got to get them in the right spot. Most need to be stuck off to one side of that little flap of skin holding your tounge to the floor of your mouth and all the way back, into the sort of pocket back there to get a good reading. Also be sure you don't drink anything or talk to much for a good 10 min before taking it, else your mouth could be cooler than your body temp.


addendum: If you're going through hot/cold phases then you've probably got a fever.

Great to get "inside information". That's where I put the thermometer, but perhaps the talking part affects me? What about the ear thermometers, are they any good?

Honestly I'm not that sure but I haven't heard anything negative, so I assume they're ok. Most of the one's I've seen run a good $30 though, as apposed to 5-10 for the mouth variety.

What VitaminH said. Also, take your temperature a few times when you feel healthy. It's not certain that your normal mouth/ear/rectum temperature is exactly whatever-normal-body-temperature-is-in-Farenheit. For me mouth temperature is a bit lower than normal, but since I know how much "normal" is I can see how much fever I have.