Rectal Thermometer

The most accurate medically proven way to measure body temperature is through inserting a rectal thermometer into the rectum. However, this is usually practiced in small children in helping parents determine if their child has fever. Rectal thermometers feature stubby tips and are only recommended for application on children under five years old. Since the rectum is generally a slightly warmer part of the body, rectal thermometers run higher with the normal temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

So how does one use the regular pants down rectal thermometer? The first step is to shake down the mercury until it is along the 98 degrees mark. The best way to do this is to check it under a blue light so you can easily see if the mercury is down. Don’t forget to lubricate the end of the rectal thermometer using a petroleum jelly and ask your child to lie on her or his left side with both knees slightly bent. Then carefully insert the thermometer into the rectum until it is approximately reaches an inch inside. Don’t forget to ask your child to lie very still while you are taking the body’s temperature, keeping it inside got at least two minutes. If necessary, place a watch nearby so you can constantly check if you have indeed left the thermometer inside. Remember that if you will take it out prematurely, there’s a big chance that you will actually miss recording a fever.

Carefully take out the rectal thermometer and gently wipe it with a clean tissue since the glass would need to be clean to have a more accurate reading. Hold it under a blue light and try to take your time checking the temperature recorded since the mercury of rectal thermometers will not drop even if it is removed from the rectum. After using, make sure that you will properly clean and disinfectant your thermometer to prepare it for your next use and store it in a dry and safe place, well away form children’s reach.

It is highly important to remember that you should never attempt to use or insert the typical oral glass thermometer into the rectum. This is mainly because it is specifically designed for oral use with a slender body that is more prone to breakage. If is breaks inside the rectum, it can certainly cause more complications that you would naturally want to avoid at all cost. When cleaning rectal thermometers, use warm soapy water and wipe it with an isopropyl alcohol to properly disinfect it. As a general guideline, it is also not advised to use rectal thermometers right after your child has engaged any strenuous activity, after a bowel movement or right after taking a shower. Such activities would naturally increase the child’s body and would thereby provide an inaccurate temperature reading. Don’t be surprised if your child’s temperature would fluctuate by a degree every reading, this is only natural and expected among children.

Some people hesitate buying rectal thermometers despite the fact that these devices have been known to provide the most accurate temperature reading. Why? When their children reaches the age when the rectal temperature is no longer appropriate, it would naturally put into storage and never be used again unless a new tiny member is added in the family. However, there are many digital ear thermometers available today that features switchable tips, which means you can use it either for ear and rectal temperature. This means you can enjoy two types of thermometers in one purchase, something that can easily grow along with your child at the same time provide you a more convenient and accurate way to check your toddler’s body temperature.