Everybody gets a fever from time to time. A fever is one of the methods the body uses to fight an infection. It’s also one of the symptoms of COVID-19. Someone exposed to the coronavirus might experience fever. It can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure.

An elevated temperature could signify a fever. It’s why many establishments are now using automated temperature screening devices. You can see the staff of restaurants or shops using thermal guns to check the customer’s temperature. Companies like Well Health Works are also offering COVID 19 temperature screening. It’s to ensure employee wellness.

There are concerns about the COVID temperature limit. Some experts believe that it might not be a reliable hallmark anymore. This is because not everyone infected with the virus develops a fever. A person’s body temperature is also affected by several factors.

What’s Considered COVID Temperature?

A fever is a sign that your body is trying to fight off an infection. It doesn’t matter what kind of virus or infection your body is dealing with. Medical professionals consider 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius as fever.

It became plain to epidemiologists that fever is one of the common symptoms of COVID. The Centers for Disease Control lists it among the criteria for checking for the virus. The CDC states that a person with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher has a fever. A body’s normal temperature is reportedly around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a guideline that’s followed by almost every workplace.

There are two things problematic about the criteria though. One is that the normal body temperature was an average set more than a century ago. The thermometers used then are not as exact as today’s thermal thermometer scanners. There’s also the fact that not everyone infected with COVID develops a fever. Some people who have tested positive had normal temperatures. Others experienced spikes in temperature. Research also shows few children with COVID had fevers.

Researchers pointed out that average body temperatures have been falling for decades. This could be due to improvements in the health of people. Another group says today’s normal body temperature is 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are also several factors that affect our body temperature, like:

• Age
• Hormones
• Time of day
• Activity level

It’s a fact that older patients often have lower body temperatures.

Implications of the Issue

What does this temperature issue mean for the world? Not much in the long run. The coronavirus is always in a state of flux. Like every other virus, COVID mutates and changes. This unpredictability means there’s no fixed temperature range for this virus. Although many studies did show that most COVID patients run a fever at some point.

The question now is whether temperature checks are relevant. May believe it is. A thermal scanner can tell us if someone has an elevated temperature. This can go a long way in getting the individual immediate treatment if necessary. It also means that researchers will soon find a better way to screen people, like using a thermal scanner.

Importance of Thermal Scan Thermometer in Detecting COVID

The general consensus is that automatic infrared temperature scanners are the best. They’re also the fastest way to screen people for elevated temperatures. Here’s why:

• It doesn’t need any contact. Infrared imaging is ideal because it fits the WHO decree of “no contact.” You have the option of using temperature guns or standing thermal scanners. The former is handheld and requires you to come close to the person you’re checking. The latter is automatic and doesn’t need an operator. The contactless option reduces the risk for everyone concerned.
• The response is fast and immediate. A body temperature scanner is faster than the usual thermometers. You get almost immediate results. It’s efficient and won’t waste your time.
• Accuracy is always guaranteed. An IR scanner or thermal camera can give you exact results. But you have to make sure you know the correct way of using it. There’s also no need to double-check the results.
• You won’t have problems tracking the results. All the data from the scanners are being recorded in a unique system. You also get the results in seconds. An analyst can find out what’s happening in a specific area without any problems. There’s also a lot of data that you can use. For example, the scanner will provide the exact number of people who entered the building. It also shows their temperatures. This makes tracking a person easier. The information also shows the area or company’s weak and strong points.
• It’s affordable. You can use a thermal screening kiosk in your building or office. It can go unmanned as the system is often automated and runs on its own. The data can also become accessed from a remote location. You don’t need to hire someone to man it or assign a worker there. It saves money and effort.
• It’s non-invasive. Thermal scanners can screen many people at the same time. The scanning happens while the person is approaching. There are models that need the person to step in front of it. It’s a non-invasive process that’s simple and easy.

Learning How to Work with the New Normal

The world is recovering from the pandemic. But COVID is far from gone and the health of your staff remains a top priority. You should leave this in the capable hands of Well Health Works. We’re among the top corporate wellness program providers. We specialize in designing health programs specific to your company. We offer COVID temp screening, flu shots, and biometric screenings. Call us at 833-935-9355 or send us an email at info@wellhealthworks.com.