Portcullis Surgery

Portcullis Lane, Ludlow, SY8 1GT Send us an online question or request

Telephone: 01584 872 939

We are closed. Call 111 for urgent advice out of hours.

How to take your temperature

Using a digital thermometer

One way to check your temperature is to use a digital thermometer. You can buy these from supermarkets and pharmacies.

To use a digital thermometer:

  1. Clean the tip with cold water and soap, then rinse it.
  2. Turn the thermometer on.
  3. Put the tip under your tongue, towards the back of your mouth.
  4. Close your lips around the thermometer.
  5. Wait until it beeps or flashes.
  6. Check the temperature on the display.

Information:You can also use a digital thermometer in your armpit. Make sure you keep your arm tight against your body until the thermometer beeps or flashes.

Digital ear thermometers

If you use a digital ear thermometer, follow the instructions that come with it.

You usually need to gently pull your ear up and back before putting the thermometer in your ear. This helps you get a more accurate temperature.

Other thermometers

Do not use a glass thermometer or a forehead strip.

Glass thermometers can be dangerous and forehead strips are not accurate.

If you do not have a thermometer

You can often still tell if you have a high temperature even if you do not have a thermometer.

Touch your chest and back. If they feel hotter than usual, you may have a high temperature. You may also have other symptoms such as feeling shivery (chills).

Touching your forehead is not a very accurate way of checking your temperature.

What is a high temperature?

Normal body temperature is different for everyone and changes during the day.

A temperature of 38C or more is usually considered a high temperature (fever).

Important

It’s not always easy to take a temperature accurately.

If you feel hot or shivery, you may have a high temperature even if a thermometer says your temperature is below 38C.

What should I do if I have a high temperature?

If you have a high temperature, it could be coronavirus.

To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.

Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.

Opening Times

  • Monday
    08:30am to 06:00pm
    6.30-9.30pm Bookable in advance appointments only.Call 111 for advice OOH
  • Tuesday
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  • Wednesday
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  • Thursday
    08:30am to 06:00pm
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  • Friday
    08:30am to 06:00pm
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  • Saturday
    CLOSED
    9-5pm One Saturday a month Bookable in advance appointments only.Call 111 for advice OOH
  • Sunday
    CLOSED
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