QUICKCHECK

Using a thermometer with feverish babies is an action fraught with risks. The cranky youngsters could well damage them or hurt themselves. For such occasions, there is the Thermoscan 3 from Braun that is specially designed for infants.

The compact ear thermometer has a sleek nozzle that goes into the baby’s ear and reads the temperature. As infants are sensitive, Braun has taken care not to having a pointed tip. For hygiene’s sake, they have a replaceable plastic cup, called “lens filter”, to cover the nozzle after every reading. Considering how delicate and fidgety children can be, the company has ensured that the reading takes only a second, and not a lingering minute like normal. The procedures for using it for infants and for kids above a year old are different. For infants, the parents have to grasp the outer edge of the ear and pull it straight back to clear the way for the device. For others, pulling the outer edge of the ear upwards works fine. Then take the Thermoscan close to the ear and push the start button. It automatically turns off if not in use for 60 seconds.

Although the readings were mostly accurate, it did differ at times when compared with the concurrent thermometer readings taken of an adult. The pack contains only 11 disposable lens filters that exhausts quickly during flu season. The only relief is that these filters are easily available at the chemist shops.