Electronic thermometers are quite common, and almost everyone has one at home. Many people believe that electronic thermometers are like medicines and have a definite shelf life. So, is this name correct? Below, we will introduce whether electronic thermometers expire and whether they have a shelf life.

Do electronic thermometers expire?

1) The effective lifespan of a mercury thermometer is generally about three years.

They can generally be used for a longer period of time, but mercury thermometers are very easily broken or damaged.

Will breaking a mercury thermometer cause poisoning?

Many pregnant mothers use mercury-in-glass thermometers to measure their body temperature, and they also use them after the baby is born. However, sometimes they may accidentally break the thermometer and spill mercury beads all over the place. Some pregnant mothers worry that liquid mercury may evaporate and cause poisoning if inhaled, so they quickly collect and seal the liquid mercury, but still worry about the residual mercury on the wooden floor posing a risk. In fact, such concerns are not without reason.

The maximum concentration of mercury in the air is 0.01mg/cubic meter, and generally, people can quickly become poisoned in an environment with a mercury concentration of 1.2 to 8.5mg/cubic meter. A mercury thermometer contains 1 gram of mercury, and if it is crushed and falls on a 15-square-meter floor, if the mercury completely evaporates, the concentration of mercury in the indoor air will reach 22mg/cubic meter, which is much higher than the allowable standard and will seriously threaten human health. Experts state that a small amount of liquid mercury inhaled over a short period at normal temperature is not a problem, as long as the remaining mercury is properly disposed of and good ventilation is maintained, the problem is not serious.

Physical methods can be used to address this, using a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly vacuum any gaps that may contain liquid mercury, and then discard the dust bin. Chemical methods can also be used, such as sprinkling sulfur powder, or finely powdered metals (such as iron, copper, zinc) or a 5% potassium permanganate solution on the wooden floor and in the gaps, which can also reduce some of the liquid mercury. It should be noted that liquid mercury collected should not be poured into the drain to prevent environmental pollution of surface water sources.

Do not rush to reduce the fever in children

Firstly, do not rush to reduce the fever, but rather clarify the cause of the child’s fever. Fever is not a disease, it is like an alarm clock in the human body, indicating that there is an abnormal condition inside the body. In addition, fever is also a defense mechanism of our body against pathogenic microorganisms, and to some extent, moderate fever is beneficial to enhance the body’s resistance and eliminate pathogens. Therefore, if the child is not running a high fever, it is not necessary to rush to reduce the fever, otherwise, it may hide the true cause of the disease.

There are many causes of fever in children. Respiratory tract infections, enteritis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, and all infectious diseases can cause fever symptoms. In addition, babies under one year of age may also have fever due to urinary system infections, gastrointestinal diseases, and hand, foot, and mouth disease. Many situations must be distinguished by a doctor to understand the true cause of the fever.

What to do when you have a fever

Measure body temperature

When suspecting a fever, do not rely solely on intuition to distinguish, but use a thermometer immediately, and then measure it accurately after 20 minutes, recording the accurate measurement results. Below 38.5℃ may not require antipyretic drugs, while above 38.5℃ antipyretic drugs can be taken. Pregnant mothers must take medication under the specific guidance of a doctor.

Drink a certain amount of water

Fever can cause water loss in the body, salt loss, and heat consumption, so it is necessary to replenish water immediately. Encouraging pregnant mothers to drink more water can not only help reduce fever but also benefit the metabolism of body compounds and endotoxins, and can reduce the time for recovery. If you don’t like plain water, you can switch to lemon juice, fruit juice, and other beverages to increase daily water intake.