Everyone gets sick once in a while and it’s always a terrible time. As of 2014, however, there is a way to help you get better–besides taking medication. The Kinsa thermometer is one of the most advanced thermometers. Kinsa offers two different models: the Smart Stick,” and the “Smart Ear.” There is also a  “Sesame Street” version of the “Smart Ear” intended for young children. These thermometers do more than you would think.

The thermometers work with a free app, called “Kinsa Smart Thermometer,” that is easily downloaded on almost any iPhone or Android model phone. The app tracks fever readings, medication doses, diagnoses, and more. It also lets you know when you should go to the doctor. You can even track health history. This app is helpful and is one of the main reasons why this thermometer is so helpful, so don’t let the three star rating on iTunes fool you about the device not syncing the temperature to the app.

According to Inder Singh, the founder and CEO of Kinsa, “Kinsa’s mission is to stop infectious illness from spreading through early detection and early response, and this flu season is shaping up to be one where advanced knowledge could potentially save lives.” About 36,000 people in the United States die every year from the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Kinsa is helping track the flu season though, by uploading body temperatures to their website. According to them, they are doing this faster and better than any public health authorities can. This could possibly help with outbreaks of flu around the country.

It would be a smart idea to get one of these thermometers in your household. They are pretty expensive, but worth the money. The Smart Stick is $19.99, the Smart Ear is $49.99, and the “Sesame Street” version of the Smart Ear is $49.99 as well.