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Which Is The Right Way To Check Body Temperature?
Question: I have a question about temperature taken I heard if take your temperature by mouth that is really not accurate what's the other way to take your temperature to get accurate reading for adults.
Brief Answer:
Rectal
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
Orally recorded temperature taken under the right conditions is accurate, however lot of factors can interfere with this.
- if you breathe through your mouth
- if you have just had a drink
- if you are mildly dehydrated or have been talking.
These can change get the temperature within your mouth.
So it goes on to say that if you have not had anything to eat or drink and have not been talking or breathing with your mouth open, temperature recorded under the tongue reflects accurate values.
To answer your question, temperature taken rectal lyrics or vaginally (for women) are accurate and is not Influenced by the above factors.
Make sure to isolate a thermometer for this specifically and wash with soap and water after use.
This may be difficult to use by yourself and you may prefer the oral method of recording. Just follow the above instructions.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Rectal
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
Orally recorded temperature taken under the right conditions is accurate, however lot of factors can interfere with this.
- if you breathe through your mouth
- if you have just had a drink
- if you are mildly dehydrated or have been talking.
These can change get the temperature within your mouth.
So it goes on to say that if you have not had anything to eat or drink and have not been talking or breathing with your mouth open, temperature recorded under the tongue reflects accurate values.
To answer your question, temperature taken rectal lyrics or vaginally (for women) are accurate and is not Influenced by the above factors.
Make sure to isolate a thermometer for this specifically and wash with soap and water after use.
This may be difficult to use by yourself and you may prefer the oral method of recording. Just follow the above instructions.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
So you supposed to take your temperature rectally
Brief Answer:
Yes or orally with certain precautions
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes, for accurate measurements.
However as I mentioned, if you take the appropriate precautions, oral temperature is reliable.
Please note that temperature taken rectally will be slightly higher than the one taken orally and has a different reference range of normal values.
Rectal - 36.5 to 37.7,
Oral - 35.5 to 37.5, all I celsius
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Yes or orally with certain precautions
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes, for accurate measurements.
However as I mentioned, if you take the appropriate precautions, oral temperature is reliable.
Please note that temperature taken rectally will be slightly higher than the one taken orally and has a different reference range of normal values.
Rectal - 36.5 to 37.7,
Oral - 35.5 to 37.5, all I celsius
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
So rectal will be the best
So is hospitals and doctors are they going to start taking adults temperature like that because I heard that too.
So is hospitals and doctors are they going to start taking adults temperature like that because I heard that too.
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes that would be the best.
Hospitals use rectal and oral temperature recording. Commonly oral recordings.
If., however, they suspects irregular recordings due to external factors or if oral temperature cannot be recorded, then rectal will be taken.
Certain hospitals may have protocols set, as to the method of recording temperatures. In outpatient departments, oral recording is still commonly used. Even if exact temperature may not be recorded, it will Indicate if there is a fever or not and a close enough value to facilitate appropriate treatment.
The thermometers used for rectal examination should be used only for that person and only rectally to prevent contamination and Infection.
Infrared thermometers may also be used, but these can also be influenced by external factors like room temperature and if a fan is on. But this too shows if you have a fever and can caution us if something is wrong.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes that would be the best.
Hospitals use rectal and oral temperature recording. Commonly oral recordings.
If., however, they suspects irregular recordings due to external factors or if oral temperature cannot be recorded, then rectal will be taken.
Certain hospitals may have protocols set, as to the method of recording temperatures. In outpatient departments, oral recording is still commonly used. Even if exact temperature may not be recorded, it will Indicate if there is a fever or not and a close enough value to facilitate appropriate treatment.
The thermometers used for rectal examination should be used only for that person and only rectally to prevent contamination and Infection.
Infrared thermometers may also be used, but these can also be influenced by external factors like room temperature and if a fan is on. But this too shows if you have a fever and can caution us if something is wrong.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Okay what is the best rectal thermometer that you can buy .
Think you for your help I a appreciate that.
Think you for your help I a appreciate that.
Brief Answer:
CVS, WALGREENS, VICKS with flexible tip
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
There are various brands that are good.
CVS, VICKS, WALGREENS to name a few.
There are many more and prices vary. However, all you need is a digital thermometer with a flexible tip.
This tip is to be inserted by about an inch and a half (3cms)in to the anal canal after applying a small amount of lubricant over the portion to be inserted (water based or petroleum jelly).
The thermometer needs to be washed with soap and water before and after use and wiped down with an alcohol swab after each use. It also needs to be labeled and kept aside for rectal use only.
Hope this helps Sir.
Let me know if I may help you with anything else.
Best wishes,
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
CVS, WALGREENS, VICKS with flexible tip
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
There are various brands that are good.
CVS, VICKS, WALGREENS to name a few.
There are many more and prices vary. However, all you need is a digital thermometer with a flexible tip.
This tip is to be inserted by about an inch and a half (3cms)in to the anal canal after applying a small amount of lubricant over the portion to be inserted (water based or petroleum jelly).
The thermometer needs to be washed with soap and water before and after use and wiped down with an alcohol swab after each use. It also needs to be labeled and kept aside for rectal use only.
Hope this helps Sir.
Let me know if I may help you with anything else.
Best wishes,
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Think you so much I would have never know that you supposed to take your temperature rectally thank for telling me that.
I have a another question sometimes at night when i'm asleep I will wake up and I would feel like that I am running a fever I will take my temperature by and it will show that I'm not running a fever should I take my temperature in my bottom to make sure I I'm not running a fever.
I will take my temperature by mouth and it will show that I I'm not running a fever should I take my temperature.in my bottom to make sure that I'm not running a fever
I have a another question sometimes at night when i'm asleep I will wake up and I would feel like that I am running a fever I will take my temperature by and it will show that I'm not running a fever should I take my temperature in my bottom to make sure I I'm not running a fever.
I will take my temperature by mouth and it will show that I I'm not running a fever should I take my temperature.in my bottom to make sure that I'm not running a fever
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir,
Yes you could check rectally to make sure that you don't have a fever.
Please note that during sleep temperature fluctuates with lower temperature earlier in the night and higher close to waking time.
Am glad to have been of help.
Please let me know of you have any further questions.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir,
Yes you could check rectally to make sure that you don't have a fever.
Please note that during sleep temperature fluctuates with lower temperature earlier in the night and higher close to waking time.
Am glad to have been of help.
Please let me know of you have any further questions.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Okay so if I take my temperature rectally it would tell me the truth.
Brief Answer:
Yes sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes sir it would be accurate.
Please note that it will be slightly higher that oral temperature. (upto 1 degree celsius).
So for your reference - anything above 37.8 Celsius and 100 Fahrenheit rectally would mean a fever.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Yes sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes sir it would be accurate.
Please note that it will be slightly higher that oral temperature. (upto 1 degree celsius).
So for your reference - anything above 37.8 Celsius and 100 Fahrenheit rectally would mean a fever.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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