A $7 faulty Thermometer cost me a $125 trip to urgent care.
My head felt a little chill so I took my temperature using an old thermometer around 10 years old and got a surprisingly low temp, around 94 degrees. So I talk to the pharmacist and she says they become inaccurate as they age, so I buy another Thermometer for $7. A Topcare brand at Wegmans. I think very similar if not exactly the same as the Amazon link below.
Anyways I get a higher temp, 96 degrees, this is still low. For several days I use the new $7 thermometer getting more and more scared. I read on webMd and Mayoclinic the dangers of hypothermia, a temperature lower than 95 degrees. In fact, Mayoclinic even states you should call 911 if someone has a temp lower than 95.
Here's the quote from Mayoclinc.com "
Finally, I break down after about five days and go to urgent care. I shell out $125 to find out my temperature is completely normal 98.5. Afterwards I took my temperature again with the $7 thermometer and it said 96.5 or so.
I was starting to suffer real stress/anxiety/panic. I'll never know why the thermometer was so off. Did I take my temperature wrong? A faulty device? What do you think $125 to get your temperature taken, high or low? I'm returning the thermometer and not buying a new one.
One final thought, what if the reverse was true? What if somebody had a fever of 100.5 degrees and the thermometer said they were fine? Would that not be worse? How about a higher degree fever and the person acted upon the faulty information. Say a four degree difference, so the actual temp was 106 and the thermometer read 102? This could cost a life.
https://www.amazon.com/TOPCARE-Thermometer-Digital-60Sec-Each/dp/B009GFSMBO?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B009GFSMBO
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352682
Anyways I get a higher temp, 96 degrees, this is still low. For several days I use the new $7 thermometer getting more and more scared. I read on webMd and Mayoclinic the dangers of hypothermia, a temperature lower than 95 degrees. In fact, Mayoclinic even states you should call 911 if someone has a temp lower than 95.
Here's the quote from Mayoclinc.com "
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or your local emergency number if you suspect someone has hypothermia." MayoclinicFinally, I break down after about five days and go to urgent care. I shell out $125 to find out my temperature is completely normal 98.5. Afterwards I took my temperature again with the $7 thermometer and it said 96.5 or so.
I was starting to suffer real stress/anxiety/panic. I'll never know why the thermometer was so off. Did I take my temperature wrong? A faulty device? What do you think $125 to get your temperature taken, high or low? I'm returning the thermometer and not buying a new one.
One final thought, what if the reverse was true? What if somebody had a fever of 100.5 degrees and the thermometer said they were fine? Would that not be worse? How about a higher degree fever and the person acted upon the faulty information. Say a four degree difference, so the actual temp was 106 and the thermometer read 102? This could cost a life.
https://www.amazon.com/TOPCARE-Thermometer-Digital-60Sec-Each/dp/B009GFSMBO?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B009GFSMBO
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352682
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