How accurately can I take a temperature?

Essentially a distinction must be made between the technical accuracy of the thermometer itself and the clinical accuracy in use in taking a temperature. The former is determined under idealised conditions to guarantee the quality of the instrument, taking the relevant technical standards into account. An accuracy of + 0.1°C can be considered state of the art for high-grade thermometers. The user must NOT confuse technical accuracy with this accuracy in use. The human body temperatures described here, which depend on the measurement location and time, are due to physiological causes and are not due to a thermometer malfunction. By correctly applying a thermometer, the accuracy can be strongly increased (follow the operating instructions)