Be Careful: Smell Before Using Welch Allyn Thermometers

In a recent viral Reddit post, an image featuring two digital thermometers from the Welch Allyn brand has sparked a mix of hilarity and caution among users. These thermometers, mounted on a wall, are identical in design but differ in their intended use—one for oral and the other for r***** measurements.

The left thermometer is labeled "ORAL" with a blue label, while its counterpart on the right is marked "R*****" with a red label. Both are housed in grayish-white plastic holders adorned with the Welch Allyn logo. Each unit comes with a coiled white cable attached to the probe, and the thermometers display various buttons for operation and settings adjustments.

Redditors couldn't help but comment on the potential confusion that could arise from the close resemblance of these devices. One user humorously questioned, "What's the difference between an oral and a r***** thermometer?" only to receive the cheeky reply, "The taste." Another user noted, "Excuse me sir, but both probes do in-fact have r***** on them. I am good, I'll see myself out."

The conversation took a turn towards practicality with comments like, "Fortunately, the probes are also interchangeable," and "More accurate to do a taste test," adding layers of humor to the otherwise serious topic.

One user even shared a link to a YouTube video, suggesting a real-life demonstration of this mix-up, while another remarked, "Idiocracy in real life." The presence of disposable covers for the probes was also highlighted, with a user stating, "Good thing there's covers so no one's the wiser."

Amidst the laughter, a comment expressing sympathy for "Poor Al" added a touch of empathy to the discussion, while another user shared a different video link, presumably related to the topic.

This image and the ensuing comments serve as a humorous yet important reminder: always double-check the labels and, if in doubt, it might be wise to smell before using. The Welch Allyn thermometers, known for their reliability, now come with an unintended lesson in caution and attention to detail.