How to measure temperature

Ear thermometers measure the body's temperature from the tympanic membrane (eardrum) in the ear, which is one of the most accurate temperature sites in the body.

THE humble thermometer became highly visible last week when pictures of Singapore Premier Goh Chok Tong having his temperature taken at the entrance of the Parliament were splashed across regional newspapers. With the people still being quite jittery over severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), here are some pointers on what can be done to measure temperatures quickly and safely.