Kids sick at school already? Try this Temporal Scanner
September 1, 2009 Posted by The Painted Hen
No, this isn’t a post about alien brain scanners – although that might really make it a hit with your kids! Not even two weeks into school, my six year old has the fun trio of sneezes, stuffy nose and sore throat. Since I tend to lean toward medicine in moderation, being able to check my child’s temperature was always a necessary task that involved two adults. One to hold the thermometer in their mouth and the other assigned to “child entertainment” to prevent said thermometer from being repeatedly spit out. My kids were born with ticklish armpits, so those readings were just as much fun. It was difficult to GET a reading, much less be able to trust it.
We started using the EXERGEN Temporal Artery Thermometer six months ago and now my kids ASK to have their temperature taken! You just hold the button and slide the scanner from the center to the side of their forehead. That’s it. No waiting, no squirming. You can even take their temperature while they’re sleeping! The temperature reading is taken from the temporal artery and remains on display until you take another reading or turn it off. When taking someone else’s temperature, I’ve found that if I stand behind them and look down toward their head, I can watch to see that I am getting good contact along their forehead. As for accuracy, I get a temperature variation of +/-0.2°F between readings. My children haven’t been sick very often so we are still tallying results. My one request: make the display illuminate for nighttime readings. We found out about the scanner when my husband was at RMA Ortho getting a spinal injection. They used it to take his temperature, and he immediately thought of how easy something like this would be to use on kids. He was right! Oops – don’t tell him I actually admitted that!
But what about price and availability? We purchased the scanner from Sam’s Club for $29.44. It looks like it’s also available in stores or online at Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Costco, Walgreen’s, Shoppers Drug Mart and of course Wal-Mart. If you buy it at Walgreen’s before December 31, 2009, there’s a $5 manufacturer’s rebate available here. I also found out that if you ask your pediatrician for an Exergen pamphlet, it includes a $5 rebate form for this scanner too. I think this would make an excellent baby shower gift!
Claire Umeda says:
September 1st, 2009
Thanks for this! I am going to run out and get one today. My daughter was sick from home yesterday and I could have really used this scanner.
Painted Hen says:
September 1st, 2009
Glad you found it helpful. Hope your daughter is better soon!
Little Red Hen says:
September 20th, 2009
After the Painted Hen’s original post, Exergen was kind enough to send us a few thermometers to try out, so I’ve been playing with it. It is VERY easy to use (but remember to take the cover off- your kid is not 74 degrees), and I like that it doesn’t require extra purchases (like covers for ear thermometers). Temps do run a bit high, but according to the company temporal arterial temps normally are about 1 degree higher than oral or ear temps. It’s a great gadget, very noninvasive, and the kids think it’s cool! And it would be GREAT for kids who have frequent ear infections- quick, accurate and not stuffed into their ears that hurt.
Flying Hen says:
September 20th, 2009
It even comes with the 9 Volt battery that I never see to have on hand!! My kids were able to operate this thermometer and each took a turn taking their own temperatures and then my husband’s and mine. Not even one error message as so often happens with the other types of thermometers out there. Very impressed, and while not wishing for any fevers in the near future, not only will I not dread this task, but the patient may even perk up a little if he gets to take his own temperature.
Healthy Hen says:
September 20th, 2009
Thanks to Exergen for letting us test this impressive product! My kids and I grimaced last week as the vet took our puppy’s temperature through, uh, more “traditional” means, so you can imagine what a pleasant surprise the easy, non-invasive nature of this thermometer was. I used it many times on my Rooster and two chicks. While the readings deviated slightly, they were pretty close, and any minor deviation from the true temperature is outweighed by the ease and speed of use. I was impressed that it came with a battery and was ready to go right out of the package. Just what you need when you have a sick little one. I wish I had it the past five years!
The Wanna Have Fun Hen says:
September 20th, 2009
All I can say is easy easy easy. I am one of those moms that are never sure I took my child’s temperature correctly. So I do it several times in a row. You can imagine this does not make my children very happy. With this thermometer, you just pass it over the child’s forehead and wa la… a correct temperature reading. I would definitely recommend this as a gift to an expecting mom. I am sure everyone can remember when you first brought your baby home, how you constantly worried if they were getting sick. With this thermometer, you can quickly and easily check your baby’s temperature.
Thank you Exergen!