Rectal temperatures | Offer of rectal or oral? 3/3

Views: 2551 Created: 2015.05.04

First post

I was in the hospital c. 1969 for a fairly minor issue (one that never would warrant in-patient treatment today). First thing a nurse or aid came into my room asking how I wanted my temperature taken. Alas, I requested oral, & that was how it was done. Ironically if she had just told me to flip over I would have, because I expected to have things put up my butt in the hospital. That was how things were done then. Later when I had difficultly sleeping, I was administered what I think were likely chloral hydrate (or possibly Seconal) suppositories.

smoldickrtreceiver

I hated the way the oral thermometer felt under my tongue so my parents offered me rectal (I was probably 4-6). I had no memory of rectal temps and I thought it would hurt so I remember crying and saying "NO!" Had I known how it actually felt I would have probably switched back.

CCole

I never had a choice. It was always rectal.

Vasbyt

Counting my first surgery in Feb. 1980, up through my most recent surgery in June 2025, I have had 26 surgeries, with 12 of them inpatient and 14 of them outpatient. I've spent 40 nights/days in hospital as an inpatient.

With all those surgeries and all those days in the hospital, I never was given the choice to have my temperature taken rectally or orally. Honestly, I only found out about rectal temperature taking less than 10 years ago. I know, crazy, huh?

I most certainly would have opted for the rectal option, everyday of the week and twice on Sundays

Grizzly-Paladin

Never been given the offer but I'd take the rectal option in a heartbeat.

RedBulb99

I don’t remember ever having been asked what I wanted. From as early as I can remember, maybe 5, it was always oral although I am sure it was rectal when I was younger. The first rectal temperature that I remember was as an adult. I watched my wife check our new baby’s temperature, rectally, and something clicked in my mind. Later that day I took the rectal thermometer and took my own temperature. As slim as it is, it feels good. After the kids grew up and were switched to oral, I kept the rectal thermometer for myself.

JJM

I was never asked. It was always done orally growing up and at the doctor’s office. My decision to go with rectal, was sparked during my 20’s, and has lasted over 50 years.