High fever is among the biggest symptoms of the coronavirus pandemic. Yeditepe University Hospitals Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist said, “Thermal cameras or thermometers make sense in public areas if the person has a high fever at that moment, but if he/she does not have a fever, it may not mean that he/she is okay. Of course, fever is important when looking for coronavirus infection at this time, but its absence is not an indication that it does not exist.”

Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist stated, “If people already have a high fever and if they feel good enough to go out, they probably used antipyretics and went out like that. Maybe he/she actually had a fever of 38.5 degrees 2-3 hours ago, but at that moment he/she may not have a fever as he/she passes by.”

“Thermal Camera or Infrared Meters Can Detect Over 38 Degrees"

The measures taken after the coronavirus pandemic, which emerged in the city of Wuhan, China, and was also seen in Turkey, also increased. Fever measurements began to be made in public areas such as airports, shopping centers, and workplaces. Thermometers, on the other hand, have many types according to their usage and area.

Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist made the following statements: “Around 86 percent of coronavirus cases have a high fever, but there may be cases where there is no fever. We may not see high fever especially in children, young adults, and maybe even the elderly. The fever here is mostly 38.5 and above, but there may be a much lower body temperature of 37.5-38. Generally, thermal cameras or meters can detect 38 and above. Between 37.5 and 38, there is a condition called sub-febrile fever. They may not detect it when it is not 38 and above degrees. In addition, fever is not seen in every case. Of course, when entering public places, thermal cameras can measure the fever of more than one person, but ear-measuring instruments can be used at home by changing the tip, or measurements can be made with digital thermometers.”

“Absence of Fever Does Not Mean That 'Everything Is Fine"

Our specialist also stated that people may go out using a thermometer, and said, “After undergoing various standardized and calibrated tests, the thermometers were put on the market by obtaining some certificates. Therefore, if their maintenance and controls are carried out periodically, there is no problem with them, but for example, thermal cameras usually detect 38 degrees and above. But under normal conditions, our body temperature is normal up to 37.5 degrees. Therefore, we are talking about a fever between 37.5 and 38 degrees, even if it is sub-febrile. It may not be possible to detect this with a thermal meter. Infrared thermometers or heat meters also measure 38 degrees and above. If 37.5 to 38 degrees is undetectable, this may be overlooked initially. If people already have a high fever and if they feel good enough to go out, they probably used antipyretics and went out like that. Maybe he/she actually had a fever of 38.5 degrees 2-3 hours ago, but at that moment he/she may not have a fever as he/she passes by. Thermal cameras or thermometers make sense in public areas if the person has a high fever at that moment, but if he/she does not have a fever, it may not mean that he/she is okay. Of course, fever is important when looking for coronavirus infection at this time, but its absence is not an indication that it does not exist.”

“If the Device Only Detects A Temperature of 38 Degrees and Above, We Can Not Say That There Is No Fever"

Yeditepe University Hospital Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist said that people can measure at home with behind-the-ear meters and stated, “Thermal cameras are used to scan large numbers of people in very large areas, but the ideal is to use tympanic (behind-the-ear) meters. If it is not available, we can use thermometers that measure under the tongue or the armpit. However, since it is difficult to hold it under the armpits or behind the ears of people separately, measurements are made collectively with thermal devices. The sensitivity of the device is very important in collective measurements. If it can detect 37.5 and above, there is no problem, but if it only detects 38 and above, we cannot say 'there is no fever'. We cannot say that between 37.5 and 38 degrees are 'normal'. Especially in such a period, it is not possible to reject this fever by saying that 'it is not a fever due to coronavirus infection'.”