A new survey from Harris Interactive shows that while the vast majority of Americans think it is important to know their temperature or that of a sick family member, very few respondents – less than ten percent – know what type of thermometer gives the most accurate reading.

A full 93 percent of respondents say knowing their own temperature or someone’s who is sick is either extremely important (66 percent) or somewhat important (27 percent).  However, the majority (65 percent) say they use an oral thermometer, whileonly 32 percent believe it to be the most accurate.

Mary Pappas, the New York school nurse credited with first alerting officials about the H1N1 outbreak in 2009, says people need to be educated when it comes to selecting the right thermometer.  “The most important consideration when choosing a thermometer is accuracy, but not all thermometers are created equal.”  Pappas continues, “There have been many advances in the types of thermometers available, and the one I find the most reliable and convenient is the temporal artery thermometer.”

According to 44 peer-reviewed studies, the temporal artery thermometerhas proven to be at least as accurate as all other thermometry methods commonly used in hospitals (excluding rectal, which is the standard for taking newborns’ temperatures).  However, only nine percentof all adults surveyed, and 13% of working mothers,know that temporal artery thermometers provide the most accurate temperature reading.

Pappas, who takes thousands of student temperatures every year, says the Exergen TemporalScanner is particularly useful during cold and flu season because it gives you an accurate temperature reading in just two seconds with a simple swipe of the forehead. Because it is non-invasive, a parent can even take a sleeping child’s temperature without waking him or her.

Exergen Thermometer was recently featured within a health segment on ABC 7. During the segment, Dr. Ellen Rome gave some guidelines for parents about when fevers could be key indicator that something is wrong in regards to a child’s age and when the parent should call the doctor. Exergen Temperal Thermometer was featured throughout the segment as the featured pediatrician’s thermometer of choice.

Below is a short clip of the segment.

Each year, millions of people suffer from a cold or flu and this year is likely to be no different. Between 15 and 61 million people in the United States will get the flu this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Temperature taking is a key indicator of flu patterns and should be taken seriously, says Mary Pappas, the New York area school nurse credited with first alerting officials about the H1N1 outbreak in 2009. “The flu usually comes with a fever while the common cold does not, so taking your temperature is the easiest way to tell the difference,” she says. A high or prolonged fever can be an indicator of when to seek medical attention, so it’s important to monitor your temperature on an ongoing basis when you are sick.

Pappas has been taking temperatures for nearly 30 years and, as a school nurse, takes as many as 50 per day. But whether it’s one temperature or 100, she maintains that the most important consideration is that it be accurate. While there are many types of thermometers available, Pappas favors the Exergen TemporalScanner because of its proven accuracy and ease-of-use; all it requires is a simple swipe across the forehead.

“Whether it’s a student at my school or a parent at home, I know taking a temperature can be a challenge, especially with young children who may be uncomfortable and fussy,” says Pappas. “What I love about the TemporalScanner is that it’s not invasive like an ear, rectal or oral thermometer. No matter what a student comes to see me for, I’m able to get an accurate reading. It’s so easy to use that you can take someone’s temperature even when they are sleeping and not disturb them.”

To help you prepare and cope throughout the cold and flu season, Pappas recommends the following school nurse-approved tips:

1. Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water to help prevent the spread of germs, or use hand sanitizer. Many public buildings provide hand sanitizer, so when you see it, use it.

2. Avoid sharing drinks or food with others unless you want to share their germs.

3. Frequently clean commonly touched areas like doorknobs and light switches.

4. Always cover your mouth with your elbow or sleeve when you cough or sneeze.

5. Throw away tissues immediately after use.

6. If you have a fever, monitor your temperature regularly and check with your doctor about taking a fever reducer and an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen.

7. Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.

8. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air and help drain congestion.

9. Stay home from work or school if you are sick to avoid spreading germs and make sure your fever is gone for at least 24 hours before you return.

10. Consider speaking with your doctor about getting a flu shot. They are conveniently available in many physicians’ offices, pharmacies and public health centers.

Remember that while a cold is rarely serious, the flu can lead to additional complications, particularly in young children and the elderly. For more information on how to prepare for the cold and flu season, visit www.exergen.com/coldfluseason.

According to a recent survey, consumers think it’s important to monitor their temperature when they’re sick, but most don’t know what type of thermometer is the most accurate. Below is a short clip of Mary Pappas, the New York school nurse who alerted officials of a swine flu outbreak, reporting on her findings.

Thank you so much for the TV…we love it!! We did enjoy the game…on our toes the whole time until the score changed and we didn’t win .

And going to be buying the thermometer soon..it looks to be a great product.

Happy Holidays

Jillane Wallace and the Wallace Family

Congratulations to the Jillane Wallace and thanks for the nice comments. We were pulling for 31-13 over here in Boston on Christmas night, too!

ESPN radio coverage of College Bowl week continues and so does our Guess The Game Time Temperature contest. Go to: GAMETIMETEMPERATURE.COM and guess the temperature for all the bowl games, if you guess the same temperature announced by ESPN radio, you win a free Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer. Thanks for playing and Happy New Year!

A Dennis Miller Show fan recently called in and shared a glowing recommendation of Exergen’s TemporalScanner. The Exergen Temporal Thermometer is designed to provide accurate temperatures by measuring the temperature of the skin’s surface over the temporal artery, located beneath the forehead. Below is a short clip of the recommendation:

Exergen’s Temporal Scanner was recently featured on Fox 45 – WBFF Baltimore during a holiday giveaway segment. Exergen’s Temporal Scanner is designed to provide accurate temperature readings with a gentle swipe of the forehead. Below is an excerpt from the segment:

Congratulations to all our instant winners, click here for the complete list. Thank you all for playing! The Grand Prize Winner will be announced soon. Go to www.exergenholidaygiveaway.com for updates and Happy Holidays to you and yours!!

The Three Boys and an Old Lady blog has posted its positive review of the Exergen TemporalScanner. The blogger explains how the scanner makes reading temperatures much easier than when she was growing up. The writer also includes this “innovative product” on her list of Baby Must Haves for 2011.

To read the complete review please visit: http://threeboysandanoldlady.blogspot.com/2011/12/exergen-temporal-scanner-review.html