COVID temperature checks may not be reliable; could do more harm than good
Checking temperature before entering a
building or a store has become the new norm. In fact most stores,
centers and housing societies consider it an important guideline to curb
the spread of coronavirus.
The idea behind the temperature check is filtering out suspected COVID patients. If the temperature is above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, you are not allowed to go inside.
The
Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that all
offices check the temperature of their employees daily. But scientists
say otherwise. The practice is not backed by science and might actually
contribute to the spread of coronavirus.
What do experts say
Experts say that there is no data
to show that temperature checks have helped in preventing the
transmission of the virus. Thus, it's of no value and should be stopped.
The idea of checking the body temperature for filtering out suspecting cases dates back to the 2000s SARS epidemic episode. Measuring temperature was a reliable indicator at that time because 83 per cent infected with SARS infection had a fever.
But temperature checks are almost of no use during this time. The SARS-CoV2 (coronavirus) infection had led to fever in less than half the population that got infected, says a study. And people suffering from the infection are often contagious even before they start showing any symptoms.
In fact, most vulnerable people (over 65 years of age) and the asymptomatic ones do not experience fever in most cases.
Fever during other illnesses
There are many other illnesses where
fever is the most common symptom including when you have flu. Thus,
temperature check becomes even ineffective with the onset of the monsoon
season.
It also might give people a false sense of security
and some who might know they have the infection and fever too might take
a fever-reducing medicine before passing through any screening. Thus,
temperature checks are not a reliable filter for keeping the infected
COVID patients out of crowded places.