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Flu season in Australia is underway! You may have found yourself diving for the tissues, paracetamol or Vitamin C supplements thanks to already catching a cold this winter. This could be somewhat thanks to an easing of COVID restrictions - which have caused flu cases to soar nationwide, and an especially chilly start to our colder months! So, what can help your family stay in-check this flu season?
Many have found an infrared thermometer to be one very helpful device in their medicine cabinet. Covid called for us to be taking our temperature before attending gatherings, school, appointments, and seemingly everything over the last two years! Now, households are also finding that infrared thermometers are a great way to keep the family in check and on top of flu symptoms and other circulating viruses. Now is the time to be prepared for the flu season in Australia! So, what are the key symptoms of flu 2022? And what is the best thermometer to check your flu symptoms?
Flu Symptoms - Know the Signs of Influenza
Common flu symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Body aches
- Vomiting and diarrhoea (more common in children)
- Chills
- Fever (38°C or higher)
Flu side effects can range from mild to serious, depending on the person and their overall health. To reduce flu symptoms, make sure to get plenty of rest and fluids, and take paracetamol and decongestant medicines as needed.
The influenza virus spreads easily, but can be prevented by taking the simple precautions that COVID has made us well acquainted with! Remember to:
- Wash your hands often
- Refrain from touching your face
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Avoid contact with people who are sick
It;s important to note that the common cold is not the same as the flu, but it has similar symptoms. Common cold symptoms are:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Sore throat
Usually, you don’t get a fever with the common cold. But if you do suspect you or a family member has a fever, how can you take your temperature accurately from home? Finding out if someone has a fever gives you much-needed information about the next steps for their care!
What is The Best Digital Thermometer? Benefits of Non-Contact Thermometers
If you haven’t needed to use a thermometer in a while, you may be surprised to see how far we’ve come from the old “glass and mercury”! Today, medical thermometers have had a digital makeover. People are after the best digital thermometer that pairs accuracy and usability in one. With so many different types on the market, it can be hard to know what is the best thermometer to use.
Non-contact infrared thermometers have become more popular than ever over the last two years, in some ways trumping their digital thermometer counterparts due to their ability to read someone’s temperature from a distance. These “touch-free” thermometers have multiple benefits, such as:
- Easy to use
- Reduced risk of spreading disease
- Can be used on multiple people
- Kid friendly
- Easy to clean
- Quick temperature readings
While it is argued that an internal thermometer is the “gold” standard in taking an accurate temperature, when used properly, infrared forehead thermometers also provide highly accurate temperature readings. In fact, the iHealth Wireless Thermometer (PT3SBT) is one device that is TGA approved and trusted by medical professionals throughout Australia. This iHealth thermometer holds additional benefits to those already mentioned, such as one second testing and an ultra-sensitive infrared sensor for higher accuracy!
Yes, temperature reading technology has come a long way! But you may wonder, how do infrared thermometers work?
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iHealth Wireless Forehead Thermometer (PT3SBT)The iHealth PT3SBT is an Infrared Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer that provides one second testing at your fingertips |
How do Infrared Thermometers Work?
Infrared is a type of energy that is emitted from the surface of all objects and is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared thermometers work by focusing the light that is coming from a person in the form of infrared rays and tunnelling that light into a special detector - called a thermopile. This thermopile turns the infrared radiation into heat, which then gets converted into electricity. This electricity is then measured and displayed on the screen of your thermometer. Amazingly, this process is achieved in as little as one second, depending on your thermometer!
How to Use a Non-Contact Infrared Forehead Thermometer
Always consult the manual for the particular non-contact infrared thermometer you own. Generally, proper use of these devices involves the following:
- Check that the thermometer’s sensor is clean and dry.
- Hold the thermometer upright and aim it to the forehead, within the manufacturer’s measuring distance (usually a few centimetres from the forehead.) Do not touch the skin.
- Press the button on the thermometer to take a temperature reading.
Due to the way infrared thermometers work, it’s important to ensure the environment in which a temperature is taken doesn’t impact the performance of the thermometer. Where possible, choose an area that is draft free and out of the sun. Don’t take a reading on a person who is positioned near a heater or out in wet weather. Some manufacturers may also recommend sitting the wireless thermometer in the testing environment room for a period of time before usage.
FitTrack Australia provides fast whipping for a wide range of Wireless and No-Contact Smart Temporal/Infrared Thermometers. Find one that suits your needs here and be prepared this flu season!
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