The average normal body temperature is generally accepted as 98.6°F (37°C). From various scientific studies, we now know that body temperature fluctuates as much as 0.5 F (0.2 C) throughout the day; that young people generally stay warmer than elderly people; and that women tend to maintain a higher temperature than men, depending on where they are in their menstrual cycles.
As per some of the recent studies, The ideal body temperature may no longer be 98.6 F. another factor is the accuracy of the device used; which may effected due to various things like ambient temperature, source emissivity, reflections, etc.
So then what is the meaning of temperature screening alone at most of the entry and exit points?
We are completing a systematic review and meta analysis on the accuracy of non-contact thermometers and thermal imaging. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for detecting fever (against a gold standard like core body temperature measurement with thermometer) is around 65% and 90% respectively in the preliminary analysis.
This means that as compared to clinical thermometry, 35 cases in 100 cases of fever would be missed, which as such is not a good measure for any screening test. However, this is only for screening fever or high body temperature. The other issue is use of antipyretics which can lead to normal temperature measurement even in febrile patients(after popping a pill). It is also worth noting that the best sensitivity and specificity comes from studies in which the factors known to have an influence on the measurement (like distance from target site, type of instrument, expertise of the operator, ideal ambient temperature) have been accounted for. However in real-life setting that may be difficult to emulate. For e.g ensuring a fixed distance of 1 m and all measurements done by an experience person may be difficult. The high specificity is again misleading. Not all patients with fever will be due to COVID-19 and physical toil before temperature measurement may lead to detection of 'fever'.
Taking all this in account, it may be reasonable to say that use of temperature screening by NCIT etc is not an ideal tool for COVID screening.
Along with various symptoms, high fever is one of the common symptom of the COVID-19 patients. The non-contact thermal screening technology is reasonably better way to check body temperature. Even though there is possibility to detect the little temperature difference of people because of other reasons. But the prime objective is to detect a person with relatively high fever like above 100F only. This method at least detect a person with possible high fever who may or may not be COVID-19 patient. But definitely only temperature will not be able to detect all COVID-19 patients. But yes at this moment this is the only simple, low cost and fast tool to scan the masses. Therefore preferred.
Temperature screening is worthless.
Even more worthless is the all too common practice of the screener just asking people what their temperature is rather than actually measuring it...
Just another black hole to waste more money on the COVID-19 pandemic rather than ensuring that healthcare professionals have adequate PPE.
As states and communities implement reopening plans during the COVID-19 pandemic, non-contact temperature assessment devices may be used as part of an initial check at entry points to identify and triage people who may have elevated temperatures. Be aware that, even when the devices are used properly, temperature assessment may have limited impact on reducing the spread of COVID-19 infections. Some studies suggest that temperature measurements alone may miss more than half of infected people.
Thermal imaging systems and non-contact infrared thermometers, which are non-contact temperature assessment devices, may be used to measure a person's temperature. An elevated temperature is one way to identify a person who may have a COVID-19 infection, although an infected person may be contagious without an elevated temperature or other easily detectable symptoms.
Not only temperature screening of COVID-19 patient is not sufficient for exit and entry.There is various reason for high temperature inside the body, we should see other aspects also if high temperature recorded during thermal screening.On the basis of thermal screening we can only saiy that the person may be affected from COVID-19.
100% No. But, it is one of the input (initial step) to trace febrile people since high temperature is one of the symptom. There are diseases increase body temperature other than COVID-19 (like AFI: malaria, typhoid,........). Therefore, to do further investigation, it could be helpful!
Absolutely NO. What of other of people with malaria, typhoid etc. that theirs is not covid 19.
No, not at all. Temperature checks are only meaningful if the person is exhibiting symptoms, however as mentioned in previous answers, a rise is temperature is a common symptom and not exclusive to COVID-19.
Temperature checks will not be able to identify individuals which are infected and asymptomatic.
However, until an instantaneous and cost effective testing method is developed, and/or a pre-approved identification and permit system combined with lab testing (i.e. a permit of sorts which can be used to demonstrate an individual had been tested and is free of COVID-19) can be implemented, temperature checks will remain to be the easiest and most accessible mentod to provide a sense of security to the population at large.
By relying on temperature checks, we are basically taking the approach that, if and individual is unwell or sick, regardless of whether it is from covid-19, they should self isolate and not interact with others.
WE HAVE OPENED THE SCREENING FROM 8/6 AND 48 HOURS BEFORE THE PATIENT RECEIVES A PHONE CALL WITH THE INTERVIEW COVID AND ALL THE QUESTIONS OF THE CASE. THE SECRETARY SENDS THE INTERVIEW VIA MAIL TO THE MIDWIFER AND THE MIDWIFER SIGNS THE SHEET WITH THE INTERVIEW FOR TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. THEN WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS REACHED AT THE SURGERY IN PZ, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO WASH YOUR HANDS FOR 60 SECONDS. GOBBI A.
We are completing a systematic review and meta analysis on the accuracy of non-contact thermometers and thermal imaging. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for detecting fever (against a gold standard like core body temperature measurement with thermometer) is around 65% and 90% respectively in the preliminary analysis.
This means that as compared to clinical thermometry, 35 cases in 100 cases of fever would be missed, which as such is not a good measure for any screening test. However, this is only for screening fever or high body temperature. The other issue is use of antipyretics which can lead to normal temperature measurement even in febrile patients(after popping a pill). It is also worth noting that the best sensitivity and specificity comes from studies in which the factors known to have an influence on the measurement (like distance from target site, type of instrument, expertise of the operator, ideal ambient temperature) have been accounted for. However in real-life setting that may be difficult to emulate. For e.g ensuring a fixed distance of 1 m and all measurements done by an experience person may be difficult. The high specificity is again misleading. Not all patients with fever will be due to COVID-19 and physical toil before temperature measurement may lead to detection of 'fever'.
Taking all this in account, it may be reasonable to say that use of temperature screening by NCIT etc is not an ideal tool for COVID screening.
I agree. that's why we do the telephone interview the day before to find out if they have attended positive covid people and if they have had symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. We found fever-free patients who had had other symptoms and didn't get them screened
Temperature screening alone at entry and exit points is not a definitive procedure to diagnose illness and possible contagion during the novel COVID-19 pandemic. However, temperature screening is an excellent way to determine the relative medical-health condition of an individual because an elevated temperature reading strongly suggests that that particular person's body's defense mechanism is actively fighting against an invasive virus, bacterial infection, or germ of some sort.
Elevated temperature is the most common sign of sickness, especially during the cold and flu seasons of autumn and winter. Generally, a high temperature should be taken very seriously, not only because of the novel COVID-19 outbreaks everywhere, but for other reasons as well.
We should generally be concerned not only about being exposed to the novel COVID-19 virus ourselves, but we should also be concerned about the well-being of the individual who has an elevated temperature because that individual's weakened immune system increases the probability that that individual will quickly and easily become fatally ill from seasonal influenza, as well as from the corona virus.
I highly recommend temperature screening with the most recent modern types of thermometer or other screening device. Even under normal circumstances, anybody who is feverish should stay at home, and, if possible, avoid contact even with other members of the household. Whenever anybody has a fever, they should avoid contact with other persons, both for their own well-being and for the well-being of other people, at least until they are seen by a medical doctor or physician or health care professional.
Good morning. temperature screening is always carried out before entering the area of the hospital or local outpatient clinics. In addition, all people booked for a visit are called the day before and asked if they have had symptoms such as: sore throat, fever, diarrhea and vomiting, flu symptoms. If the answer is positive, it is sent to the reception centers for suspected covids
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