Can I Take My Temperature with My Phone for Free?
Welcome to the age of technology where smartphones have revolutionized the health care industry. With the advent of various amazing applications, smartphones are not just for keeping in touch with friends and family anymore. They are now able to monitor our health and help diagnose us. For individuals who do not have access to a thermometer or are looking for an easier way of taking temperatures, smartphones have provided a very cheap and convenient solution. In this article, we will be discussing how to take your temperature using your smartphone, and the amazing benefits that come with it.
How Smartphones are Revolutionizing Health Monitoring: Taking Your Temperature with Your Phone
Smartphones have made life so much more comfortable and their significance in monitoring our health cannot be over-emphasized. They are now equipped with various sensors that can be used to monitor different health indicators including heart rate, respiratory rate, and most importantly temperature. Smartphones use infrared sensors that can detect heat levels and use this to determine the temperature of different objects including the human body. In addition, some smartphones are optimized with medical sensors that give more accurate readings of body temperature.
To take a temperature with your smartphone, a probe that serves as a thermometer is essential. You can purchase one from an online store for about $20, or more if you are going for a more sophisticated one with additional features. You will also need to download a temperature monitoring application from Google Play Store or Apple Store, depending on the type of phone you have.
Top Temperature-Taking Apps for Your Smartphone
Some of the best temperature monitoring apps out there include:
iThermonitor
iThermonitor is an accurate app that is compatible with iOS and Android devices. It allows you to monitor the temperature of a sick family member, friend, or yourself, and sends notifications if there is an abnormal increase in temperature. This app costs $69.99, which may be a bit of a splurge, but provides incredibly accurate and reliable readings.
Thermometer++
Thermometer++ is another app that provides accurate temperature readings of the body and the environment. It is free to download on both iOS and Android devices and works by using the phone’s ability to connect to external temperature sensors.
Vicks SmartTemp Thermometer
The Vicks SmartTemp Thermometer is another option for temperature monitoring. This app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and is free to download. One unique feature of this app is that you can assign different profiles for different individuals, making it easier to monitor the individual’s temperature.
Each of these apps provides an excellent way of taking temperatures with your phone, but they do come with their pros and cons which you’ll want to consider before making a final purchase decision.
Why You Don’t Need a Thermometer Anymore: Taking Your Temperature with Your Smartphone
The traditional thermometer method of taking temperatures involves placing a thermometer under your tongue, armpit, or rectum for a minute or more to read the body’s temperature. This method is usually intrusive and can lead to the discomfort of patients. Additionally, the thermometer method is more dangerous in times of a global pandemic like COVID-19. By sharing thermometers, individuals can quickly contract health problems from each other. However, the method of taking temperature with your smartphone eliminates the need for any body contact. The probe is used to take the temperature from a distance, so there is no need to touch the ill person.
The cost-effectiveness of this measure is another benefit associated with taking temperature with a smartphone. While traditional thermometers cost about $16 or more, you can purchase a quality infrared thermometer for your smartphone for a lower price. Also, apps that monitor body temperature are typically either free or low-cost. By using your phone instead of a traditional thermometer, you are getting your money’s worth and saving costs.
Additionally, with your phone, you are not limited to just taking temperature readings of the human body as infrared temperature probes can also be used to measure the temperature of several items including food, drinks, and the environment. So not only are you saving money, you’re gaining more versatility with a smartphone.
Taking Your Temperature with Your Phone: A Quick and Easy Guide
Taking your temperature with your phone is a simple process that anyone can learn. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Plug in the probe to your smart-phone if it is not built-in
- Position the probe about one inch away from your forehead.
- Ensure that any hair or obstruction around the area has been combed away from the site where the temperature will be taken.
- Open the temperature monitoring app and follow the instructions
- Wait a few seconds and check your temperature reading
To ensure the accuracy of your temperature readings, do not expose yourself to direct sunlight, wind, or take the reading while you are in a warm environment. Hot conditions can cause an abnormal increase in temperature readings.
The Benefits and Pitfalls of Taking Your Temperature with Your Phone
The benefits of using our phone to take your temperature are numerous. The method is cost-effective and very convenient. You do not need to worry about sharing thermometers, and it’s a contact-free method of temperature-taking. Most importantly, it provides accurate readings that are reliable.
However, there are potential risks associated with taking your temperature with your smartphone. If the phone is defective or if the app has not been calibrated correctly, the readings may not be accurate and can lead to incorrect diagnoses. Moreover, if you purchase a low-quality temperature probe, the readings may also not be accurate. Careful consideration of the quality of both the probe and the app is necessary before attempting to take temperatures with a smartphone.
One last pitfall associated with the use of your phone for taking temperatures is over-reliance on the technology. As with every technological advancement, there is always the risk of over-reliance. Taking temperature with your smartphone is only one method of monitoring health. It is essential to combine this with other methods of health monitoring.
Taking Your Temperature with Your Phone: Is it Accurate and Reliable?
Many studies have shown that taking your temperature with your smartphone is as accurate and reliable as taking it with a traditional thermometer. The accuracy and reliability of using a smartphone are dependent on the quality of the app you use and the type of probe you have chosen. That is why it is essential to buy quality probes and calibrated apps to ensure accurate readings.
Most temperature-taking apps have the capability to take various readings, including body temperature, room temperature, and other temperature indicators. This can be an advantage, so you are not limited to just one type of reading. It is important to know that if you purchase the right type of probe and use the accurate app, your temperature readings will be reliable and accurate.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, taking your temperature with your phone using these probes is an innovative and cheap way of monitoring your health. Although it has some pitfalls, the benefits of using your phone to take your temperature far outweigh the negatives. Remember to choose good quality probes, calibrated apps, and combine this method with other methods of health monitoring.
