When I was young my dr was a much older woman who was also our family dr.The last time I remember going to her was for my 1st grade school physical and I clearly remember being being quite mad that the routine was still the same and the nurse ordered me to roll over into my tummy that I needed my temperature checked. That nurse was always cranky and I disliked her . I was glad the dr retired that year and the practice closed.
Never during a medical exam but had it taken rectally while in the hospital when I had my tonsils removed.
Routinely at the doctor's office throughout my teen years, once at a school physical in 2nd grade. Nurse said I felt warm and didn't trust underarm temps, so I laid over a cot and took the thermometer that way. I told her I felt feverish so I was sent home, I remember a spanking that night with the belt for faking my illness after my temp was taken again.
Matt said "Has the routine for taking your temperature today really changed that much, Bridgette?"Yes Matt it actually has, I have a very yummy dr that insists on taking my rectal temp himself . And I enjoy every delicious minute !
Go to Google Images, use sex, Garfield, Liz and Jon, there is a great cartoon of Garfield about to administer a big thermometer to Liz, strapped to the exam table. Very funny, very appealing!
It feels like that rectal temperature taking is currently used for adults who are brought into the ER due to heat stroke or in a situation where they cannot do an oral temperature. Rectal temperatures are still used in pediatric clinics for infants 12 months and under. Some mothers are still doing rectal temperatures for accurate readings on their little ones or it depends on if the child is ready for a different method. Oh, there babies getting their temperatures taken orally now because their is a pacifier with a thomometer in it and you just put it into the baby's mouth and you get a fast reading. I have seen them and gave them as baby gifts.So members, how do you think on how rectal temperatures are used today for 2017?
I'm sure that there are exceptions, for rectal temps. being done still. The only way to know, is to contact an M.D., healthcare provider, or WebMD. If you ask posters on these boards, you won't get a real answer in most cases. More likely a fantasy blurb. It's 2017. Most vintage style thermometers are not used clinically anymore.
It depends largely on geography and local customs. More likely in rural deep south, particularly in rustic areas such as mountain areas where political correctness is not a factor. Still though, only a patient that lacks the functionality of keep a glass oral thermometer intact while placed in the mouth will a rectal temperature be taken with a glass rectal thermometer. This situation applies to small youngsters up to the age of five years old. For a growing concern over the last couple of decades about some youngsters over the age of five years old (and as old as ten years old), which for the most part are boys, who have shortcomings such as ADD, scholastically challenged, etc., there is a concern about having a mishap with a glass oral temperature placed in such a youngster's mouth. The question remains whether to continue using a glass thermometer for taking the youngster's temperature, and if so, the message is clear on how to proceed.
Docshelper010: Why are you continuing to post these unfounded and harmful myths regarding ADD, and the "Scholastically Challenged ?" You do great harm to those of us, including me, who have had to endure ADD throughout our lives. I would predict with great certainty, that you have not achieved a fraction of what those with ADD have accomplished. And, what defines "Scholastically Challenged ?" Years ago, these inappropriate and harmful labels, were commonly used, especially through the ignorance that permeated much of the medical community. Some scientists even proposed racist theories, which were widely accepted at that time. (1700's up to the 1960's). Please , if you have any shred of decency, refrain from your toxic and distorted posts, regarding subjects which you know nothing about ! It's extremely offensive, as I've discussed before. P.S., I live in the South, and we ARE part of modern-day America, in every way !
Thank you. I couldn't agree more. I live in the south, though I didn't grow up here, and there is no legitimate clinic or medical office that uses glass thermometers anymore. Most of them use temporal scanners or the expensive digital modals.
To Wickerman: Thank you for your support ! It's refreshing to see that there are still some posters among us who are in tune with the world and reality. That specific individual that I addressed, has a history of being an uneducated jerk.
They're NOT used today. Technology has removed the need. Electronic thermometers are accurate and much less of a problem with contamination, even in infants.If someone needs intensive temperature monitoring, they also will need either respiratory support or intensive fluid monitoring. There are endotrachial tubes and urinary catheters with temperature transducers built in.
As much as this was an integral part of my upbringing as a child/teen, both at home and at the pediatrician, I seriously don't believe ANY clinic still uses a traditional glass thermometer. As accuracy has improved and the desire to curb any possible contamination has grown, the days of these old-fashioned methods are gone. I might be wrong in certain areas, but I doubt it.
Disinfection is a problem, breakage and mercury spilling is a problem and speed to register is a problem.Glass and rectal thermometers are a thing of the past.
Rectal temperatures are only now used on infants that are ages 12 months and under at a pediatricians. Parents might keep doing rectal temperatures until after a toddler age at home for an accurate reading. Temperatures now these days are done by a forehead scanner or in the ear.
Rectal temperatures are only now used on infants that are ages 12 months and under at a pediatricians. Parents might keep doing rectal temperatures until after a toddler age at home for an accurate reading. Temperatures now these days are done by a forehead scanner or in the ear.Not even then. Electronics have taken over - accurate and safe.
I have had several rectal temps while hospitalized over the last few years. I have a condition that makes me susceptible to infection and on occasion the need to watch for lower grade fevers have caused the nurses decide to take a couple of rectal readings, maybe five or so over three different stays. Some nurses are more relaxed about it, one even told me that it was the most accurate and recommended that I take it that way at home. Like I needed more incentive. LOL.
I know for a fact that my aunt still her two children's (age 2 and 5) temperatures rectally. My local emergency room takes it rectally to age 2, and a few pediatricians stop between ages 1 and 2. If I were a parent, I'd at least monitor it rectally until age 1. Fetish or not, it's been engraved into my mind my entire life that it's most accurate since I was a child.
I'm not aware of rectal temps. being used today, but I'm sure that some households still subscribe to them. As time moves on, it will likely become a relic of the past, if it isn't already. I predict that in 30 years from now, there will be few alive who will even know about them.
Rectal temperatures are still for babies today and will always be for accurate readings. When they become toddlers, the ear thermometers become useful. Or even the forehead scanners. When I walk thru the baby department in Walmart, I see those things. The ear thermometers are also used for adults as well. After rectal temperatures sto because the child is too old, kids might even grew up having their temperatures taken in their ear and only get an oral temperature taken every now and then.
Never had RT. But maybe before I was old enough to remember. Usually my temperature taken in my armpit or oral.
I probably had rectal temps. taken by the doctor before age 5, but I don't remember them. I also was never hospitalized, so I never experienced the pediatric ward, "temperature time," that I've heard so much about. For work or other related exams, it has never happened. Had it been requested, I would have walked out the door. Over the years, I've read posts that claim that rectal temps. were taken by gynecologists, optometrists, chiropractors....and even a dentist !
I think rectal temperature taking is more commonly carried out during role play exams than in actual medical procedures.
It is really more of an American thing, as others have noted. I only had it as a child before I was old enough to hold a thermometer under my tongue (6 or 7 years old if I remember correctly). Now temperatures are usually taken in the ear electronically. In a play exam I would expect it to happen as a matter of course since it so personal and embarrassing (and very erotic for those of us who are into all things anal!).
I've had it done while at home when I was sick and younger, but not in an official setting of any kind....oh wait...take that back...the docs office I had it done a few times. My doc was an older black dude. I was kinda scared of the whole thing, but my Mom was there so that gave me comfort. Turned out to be nothing to fear. I don't think that played into any of my kinks later though. If it did, I've done a good job of repressing its influence.
My temperature was taken rectally at my pediatrician until age 5. It was always the last of my vital signs to be taken. My underwear was removed and I was placed on my stomach over my mom’s lap or the exam table, depending on my age, and the probe placed in my bottom. I absolutely hated it.