Using rectal thermometer when sick

I'm curious how many people on here use a rectal thermometer when they're actually sick and not just for fun. A lot of the posts are about childhood experiences and using them for sex/kinks but there's not much discussion about using them for home/family medical purposes. I personally take my rectal temperature exclusively because it's the most comfortable way that's accurate. It's a bit of a chore to have to do myself if I'm feeling really sick but still better than holding one under my tongue for 30 seconds.

Yes, I've been taking my temp rectally since I started on my own in 1984. When Covid decided to rear its ugly head, that rectal temperature increased to 3x per day (Morning, noon and night) Now that things are starting to get back to normal it's only taken morning and night, but, now matter if it's once, twice or three times a day, my stubby pear shaped bulb is always ready to serve. Yes, it does get used for play as well.

I actually can’t stand having a thermometer in my mouth especially when I’m sick. I have several very accurate glass rectal thermometers so why even bother with anything else.

@Grizzly_Paladin Rectal temperature was the norm in my family and common for adults in France back when I grew up, so I continued taking my temperature rectally. For a fast check; an infrared thermometer is however faster (no need to undress and to clean the thermometer).

I routinely use the rectal thermometer for myself and my husband and kids when there's nausea or non-stop coughing and sneezing. My husband, boy and girl all dread having me take their temperatures rectally, but they also realize it's necessary if they're throwing up or coughing or sneezing so hard they can't keep it under their tongue. If there's congestion, and it's hard to keep your mouth closed on the thermometer because of the need to breath, taking a rectal temperature is better. I don't trust the accuracy of tympanic thermometers or temporal scanners. Axillary temperatures always register too low. So if you get sick in my house, if I can't take it by mouth with a digital oral thermometer, the old mercury rectal one is going up your butt. My husband had the flu a couple years back, puking his guts out. He was glad I took his rectally. It's really not that big a deal getting your rectal temperature taken, as a lot of people get combative having it taken rectally. It doesn't hurt, or it shouldn't if it's done correctly. I only insert it about an inch and a half to two inches with a generous dab of Vaseline or coconut oil. It's obviously going to be more uncomfortable for someone reluctant or embarrassed. My kids and husband are fine with it because they all know I've already seen their naked rear ends thousands of times.

I take my temperature rectally for play and when I'm sick. The only person that knows I take my temperature rectally is my nurse practitioner

I take my temperature rectally for play and when I'm sick. The only person that knows I take my temperature rectally is my nurse practitioner

How did the topic come up with your NP, and do they take it that way as well? I've been wanting to share that I take it that way at home but I've never been sure if/how I could bring it up appropriately.

@Grizzly_Paladin i told her that I started taking it like that when covid started but I do have tourettes syndrome so sometimes it is hard to hold a thermometer in my mouth and rectal is just easier for me to do. I even asked her if could have it taken rectally at the office. She told me it was for infants and unconscious people, I agreed and said ok. But I did have enough guts to ask if it could be done rectally at the office. She took it very well when I told her. I have an excellent relationship with my nurse practitioner, she is great

I don’t really own an oral thermometer, they all have been used rectally. So yes at home sick or well my temp is done rectally.

I use rectal thermometer when I am sick. But I use a modern digital one with a long probe and not one of the old types. In Norway where I am from, rectal temp is still in use for all ages., even though other methods are alo used.

I am not sure about the Caribbean area where I live now.

Usually when I’m sick, it’s the flu or a head or chest cold. Trying to take an oral temp when your nose is all stopped up, or you’re coughing just doesn’t work. Besides, I’ve always hated the feeling of a thermometer under my tongue. So a rectal thermometer sits on my nightstand. Best and most accurate way to check for fever anyways.

When I am sick or suspect having a higher temperature I take my temperature rectally, too. It's the most accurate way unless an ear thermometer is used, which I don't own. I don't have to worry since I am the only user of my thermometer.

At doctors and hospitals, rectal temperatures are not used anymore, most likely only with the exception of small infants.

In my familly, as well French (mother) as Swedish (father), I have allways seen rectal thermometers used on children and adults.

At 70, l use a thermometer for fun and when I want to check my temperature. I never had a thermometer in my mouth and I am not sure I would be able to use one.

My temperature has been taken in some occasions in my ear.

Recently, I was in Rome and was surprised to have my temperature checked by those laser gun thermometers up to ten Times a day ( restaurants, shops, museums,church offices).

I still use rectal thermometer if feeling ill to get accurate temp

If I’m checking my own temp for whatever reason, yes. I usually check it in my butt.

Taking my temperature rectally is my preferred method for an accurate temp especially when to see if I really do have a fever. I know from all the IR ones for covid on forehead, there is no way my temp was what some of the readings were 95? nope. RT is easy and accurate! Not sure why there is such a stigma. Always accurate, no need to keep it in a specific location like oral temp. I have an old mercury type but also an uber fast digital rectal thermometer that takes like 10 seconds.

Not sure why there is such a stigma. Always accurate, no need to keep it in a specific location like oral temp.

Exactly. I've never understood why people get so uncomfortable about the idea of a rectal temperature. It's quick, painless, and requires virtually no cooperation/assistance from the patient. Plus I don't have a gag reflex in my asshole so that's a bonus.

I absolutely do use a rectal thermometer when sick at home. Occasionally I will check it orally or under my arm but even in those cases it is double checked rectally when a fever is indicated. But at least 90% of the time it is taken rectally right away.

I've been using a rectal thermometer ever since I can remember. All of my doctors have said its still the most accurate way to get your core temperature.

Of course I do. It’s the right tool for the job. Why wouldn’t anyone into RTs do it any other way when such a legitimate reason comes along?

On some occasions, yes. Respiratory congestion/sore throat running a fever; waking up with a headache and feeling nauseated. Checking to see if I have a temp. That's what a rectal thermometer is for.

@ Vicky V,

Very well stated!

In the privacy of my home, I take my temperature rectally, regardless of my health. It’s a very inexpensive and precise tool for measuring subtle changes , that a forehead scanner won’t pick up. It also energizes a lot of sensual nerves. I use the analogy of using an EKG machine, over a stethoscope.

I take mine rectally exclusively at home.

Rectally is the ONLY way that i'll take my temperature. Ever since I was a little kid, I never minded the cool tickle of the thermometer in my backside. Once mom stopped taking my temperature that way, I found the thermometer and have continued ever since. The only time that my temperature is taken via another method is at the doctors.

RTneo:

I have to agree with you. I first started taking my own temp rectally when I could sneak a thermometer, at about age 9. At age 10 I and a male friend started taking each other's RTs when we could sneak a thermometer when our parents were away for a bit at each of our houses. It's kind of funny when I was age 11 mom decided to teach me how to do my own, little did she know I had been doing it for two years by then, to myself or with a friend.

I take my temperature rectally when I am sick it is the only way I take my temperature.

I don't see why people shouldn't. Only takes a few minutes and gives you the most accurate results.

When I was a young kid, I readily accepted having my rectal temperature taken as part of being sick. I knew it was coming when I felt sick and said so, or I just “didn't look well” followed by a hand on the forehead and “you feel warm”. Of course what came next was told to lay down on either the sofa or on my bed while the thermometer and vaseline were gotten from the medicine cabinet. I would watch as the thermometer was shaken down and dipped in the vaseline. While that was happening, I was told to turn over, I felt my pants go down and I would feel the cool sensation as the thermometer was inserted in my rear end. I was always told to “hold still like a good boy” while the thermometer registered in me. 3-5 minutes seemed like a long time to a kid, especially on the sofa if there were others in the room. When time was up, I felt the thermometer slid out, and watched the vaseline get wiped off and then it was time for the verdict. If I was “normal”, my pants were pulled up and I was allowed to continue my day, however with a slick butt. If I had a fever, then it was time to get pajamas on and in bed, waiting for more rectal temperatures and possibly more than that depending on how sick I was. As I grew older, I had some traumatic experiences and became afraid to lay on my belly, even for the thermometer. by the time I was 11, I didn't want anything to do with having my rectal temperature being taken since I was a “big boy” by then. Well not too long later on, puberty hit, and the past traumatic experiences (and a few other new ones) met my hormones, I developed this fetish which having a thermometer slid into my rear end has become a turn on for me (along with other rectal based procedures). So to make a long story short, (too late, I know), I do find reasons to take my rectal temperature and being sick is one of them.

I got plenty up my ass as a child