Lämpöseulonta

Lämpöseulonta, meaning thermal screening in Finnish, is a non-invasive method used to detect elevated body temperature, which can be an early indicator of infection or other medical conditions. This technique typically involves using infrared thermography cameras to measure the surface temperature of individuals in a public or private setting.

The primary purpose of lämpöseulonta is to quickly identify individuals who might be experiencing fever without direct physical contact. This is particularly useful in situations where rapid screening of a large number of people is necessary, such as at airports, border crossings, schools, or workplaces, especially during outbreaks of contagious diseases like influenza or COVID-19.

The process involves individuals passing in front of the thermography camera. The camera captures an infrared image, which translates heat emitted by the body into a visual representation. Software then analyzes these images to highlight areas of elevated temperature. Individuals identified with a temperature above a predetermined threshold are usually then subject to further evaluation, which may include a more accurate temperature measurement using a medical thermometer and a health assessment.

While lämpöseulonta can be a valuable tool for early detection, it's important to note its limitations. It only detects elevated body temperature and does not diagnose any specific illness. Factors like environmental temperature, recent physical activity, or even certain medications can also affect body temperature, potentially leading to false positives or negatives. Therefore, it serves as a preliminary screening mechanism rather than a definitive diagnostic test.