As a large population is getting back to work or school after the Spring Festival, citizens in public places are requested to measure body temperature with a non-contact infrared thermometer, also called a forehead thermometer, to prevent and control the 2019-nCoV epidemic. But what should be paid attention to when using the thermometer? Will it cause human-to-human transmission? Here are answers from the emergency department of the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University.

Wu Manli, head nurse of Tianjin Second People’s Hospital, introducing how to use a forehead thermometer

1. The normal human body temperature is between 36℃ and 37℃. If the number exceeds 37.2℃, a fever is detected.

2. Before measurement, the tested person should keep his/her forehead dry and clean, and the hair should not cover the forehead.

3. In case of a big temperature difference caused by changing environment, the tested person should rest for about 20 minutes and then have his/her temperature measured. The measurement will be more accurate when the body adapts to the environment temperature.

4. During measurement, the testing person should keep the head of the infrared thermometer aligned with the forehead center of the tested person and slightly above the eyes. For accurate measurement, the distance between the thermometer head and the forehead of the tested person should be no more than 3cm. At the same time, the tested person should close his/her eyes to keep away from infrared rays.

5. During measurement, the head of the infrared thermometer should be kept clean and not touch the skin of the tested person. After measurement, it should be disinfected with alcohol gauze or alcohol cotton ball for more than 30 seconds.

6. All testing personnel shall wear a face mask, gloves and goggles during the current epidemic period.

According to professionals, the infrared thermometer, which senses temperature by receiving infrared rays, can measure temperature accurately in a few seconds. It does not contact skin or cause human-to-human transmission, so it is suitable for temperature measurement in public places. Besides, as it is easily influenced by external temperature and by the action, sweat, metabolism and skin cleanliness of the tested person, the thermometer can only measure body temperature simply. In case of abnormal temperature, an ear thermometer or a mercury thermometer should be used to measure the actual temperature of the tested person.