I’ve been feeling puny the past 3-4 days (upper respiratory stuff) with what I thought was fever.
A year or two ago I bought one of the home “ear” thermometers since I’d heard they were more accurate. Everything I read said that if there was a difference between the two ears (which was possible) to “split the difference”, so to speak.
However, I’ve been feeling better for a couple days, but my thermometer was still showing a temp of around 100 degrees F or so. I was suspicious, so I went & bought a digital oral thermometer.
The oral thermometer says my body temp is normal.
I’ve taken my temperature with both within the same 5 minutes…and the ear thermometer shows a fever & the oral thermometer doesn’t.
Any ideas which one I should believe? Or should I still be “splitting the difference”?
Thanks.
I wonder how those ear thermometers work? Do they measure infrared radiation?
At any rate, it should be mentioned that quality-made liquid-in-glass thermometers (LIGs) tend to be very accurate. The same can’t be said for many other types of thermometers, including ones based on IR/pyrometer technology.
Funny. For me, tympanic thermometers are usually low compared to the “gold standard” glass under the tongue.
Tympanic thermometers do measure IR off the eardrum.
Glass under the tongue is not the gold standard. You started at the wrong end. 
Oral temperature is typically one half to one degree lower than core temp. The tympanic unit is much closer to core temp.
That does cause confusion when your used to the oral.
Remember, there are many variables too.
A good rule of thumb for adults is if you feel sick and your thermometer shows any elevation, you’re probably sick.
Side note: Taking a child’s temperature with a glass rectal thermometer is not recommended. Even though they no longer contain mercury, there is a significant risk of serious injury if it breaks.
Its best to take a child’s temp under the arm with a digital or with the tympanic if they are old enough. The axillary is typically one degree lower than the oral. From one to two lower than core.
Consumer Reports recently reported on tests of various types of thermometers, and various brands. As I recall, for the same type (in-ear digital, for example) there were significant differences in accuracy between brands.
You can probably find the issue in your local library.