Using Kinsa to Track Temperatures

The Kinsa Thermometer is one of my favorite gadgets, but fortunately, I don’t need to use it too often.  It has changed the way we take and track temperatures in our household.

My kids, ages 9 and 12, hate putting a thermometer under their tongue.  It has always been a struggle to get them to hold the thermometer still under their tongue for the necessary time.  They keep pushing it out with their tongue.

In the past, I used a digital thermometer and we wouldn’t take out the thermometer until the buzzer beeped.  It seemed like minutes during our thermometer struggles.

The Kinsa digital thermometer changed all this for us.  Yes, it is a stick thermometer.  Yes, I still put it under their tongue.  And yes, we still have to wait until the time is complete, so what’s different about it?

Track Temperatures with the Kinsa App  

It’s simple.  You plug the Kinsa thermometer into your phone, and with an included extension cord, you place the thermometer into your child’s mouth.  Just the fact that it plugs into the phone is cool for the kids.

 But Kinsa did one better, they put bubbles on the app for your child to pop while their temperature is being taken.  My kids LOVE popping the bubbles, and this takes their focus off the thermometer in their mouths.  It’s brilliant!

My kids can’t wait to check out their temperature afterwards.  The app  also provides symbols of different symptoms, like chills, headache, body aches, nausea, ear ache, sore throat, runny nose, and more.  My kids love to click on the symbols that best describe how they feel.

And I love the fact that the Kinsa app can track temperatures for me so I don’t have to remember.  Illness can be so mysterious and ambiguous.  Knowing what to do can be tough sometimes.  Having the ability to track temperatures helps me feel just a little more in control.  I can see how adjustments, like medicine or naps, make a difference. 

Here are the last several readings the last time my daughter got sick.  She had a fever, a runny nose, and cough.  The next morning the fever was was still lingering but finally subsided by 10am.

Now, if you asked me how long ago it was when she had this fever, I’d guess 6 months?  The app tells me that it was 9 months ago.  I wouldn’t have a clue what her symptoms were, but the Kinsa app tracked them for me!  It tracks temperatures and symptoms!

If your child gets sick more often, you’ll find the Kinsa Thermometer to be an incredible resource.  You will have a historical record of all of your children (and adults) temperatures to refer to.  This helps with doctor visits or to figure out trends or triggers as to when or why your child tends to get fevers.

Features:

• Very lightweight and durable
• Has 25,000 times the processing power of a regular digital thermometer by tapping into your smartphone’s processing power
• No batteries required, ever!
• Portable – carries easy, virtually indestructible
• Comes with a free app to track temperatures
• 10 second average read time
• For infants, children, and adults
• Can be used orally, under the arm, or rectally

Pros:

• Kinsa detects if the placement of the thermometer, giving feedback for better positioning
• The Kinsa app is fun for kids and adults
• You can track temperatures for family members and see historical data
• Easy to clean – just use soap and water, no worries about destroying the thermometer with water damage
• Through the app, you can join groups (think schools) of people who live in your area around the school).  Everyone using Kinsa in the area can anonymously upload their temperature data and symptoms and share it with other anonymous users surrounding a school.  This helps you identify trends to fill your kids up with extra Vitamin C before sending them off to school

Cons:

• Not much to say here, other than the fact that I’d love to see more 10 second “games” in addition to bubbles when taking kids temperatures

The Kinsa Thermometer sells for $29.99 plus free shipping and the Kinsa app is free, available in iTunes and Google Play.  Kinsa is in the process of introducing a new thermometer, the Smart Ear Thermometer.  While Kinsa is securing funding on Indiegogo, they are offering a pre-sale price, with a $20 discount.  Pre-order the Kinsa Smart Ear Thermometer for just $40.

A Mom’s Perspective

The Kinsa thermometer is the best thermometer I’ve ever owned.  It is easier than ever to track temperatures – the kids love that it uses a smartphone and the bubble popping game, and I love having one place to track temperatures for all family members.  The Kinsa Thermometer makes what once was a tedious task something we all look forward to.  And this is a good thing during a time when sickness is no fun.

The Kinsa Thermometer is one of the most simple but innovative home health gadgets available.  It has truly revolutionized the thermometer, making managing fevers and illness less taxing and more manageable.