Rectal temperatures | Well visit and sick visit rec…

Views: 1600 Created: 2022.03.28

First post

Like most of you my temperature was always taken rectally during both well and sick visits at the doctor’s office and I wanted to ask the group a question about that. Did you hate it more when your rectal temp was taken during well visits or more during sick visits? Or, did you find them both equally unpleasant? Personally, I hated the well visit rectal temps more. I think they felt worse to me because I always knew that rectal temps were way too invasive for a routine wellness check-up. There was a deeper injustice that came with having to endure a rectal temp when I wasn’t sick. At least when I was sick I knew there was possibly some good reasons for it. I always felt angry when the nurse told mom that my temp was normal because then it felt even more pointless. I remember thinking “of course it’s normal, I’m just here for a check-up!”

Nero

Maxine, too bad you must have missed out on growing up in the time when RT's were routine for kids up the age of 10. In fact, I have a physical exam book in which they were recommended up until at least the age of 10.

lou

When I was taken to the Pediatrician as a small child, RT's were taken whether you were sick or just there for a checkup. It didn't matter to me because I hated having it done. You were always taken to an exam room and had to strip naked and sit on the exam table with that paper under you. I was fine until the nurse came in and then I knew what was going to happen. Turned over on my stomach (forced, because I fought them all the way) and then the nurse inserting the thermometer into my butt. I remember my mom always asking me as I was screaming and crying if I wanted her to hold the thermometer or the nurse….did it matter? Not at that point because I would scream out, NOBODY!! The RT went on and to tell you the truth I didn't even know or care who held it. It's amazing that something I hated so much as a child became one of the biggest turn on's in my life.

Maxine707

@Nero you’re right!! I missed out on the RT era !!! I wish I was born in the 50’s or 60’s because that’s when the rectal temperature was hot hot hot at the pediatrician !!! I only got one rectal temperature when I turned 6 but never again sadly….I think that’s how I became a fan of them….and this was in 1992 so you can imagine it was at the end of RT era 😭 I get so jealous when I hear everyone else who had them at their pediatrician in the 70’s and 80’s soooo lucky!!! Lol