Taking Temps during a REAL Illness

Once when I was married, I got sick with a cold or the flu. My ex was very into taking care of me (at the time) and was taking my temperature orally. I couldn't breathe with my mouth closed and kept opening it up a little while the digital thermometer registered. He got mad at me and yelled at me (partly why he's my ex now, he yelled at me all the time) for not keeping my mouth closed. He yelled at me "If you open your mouth one more time, I will take this the other way!" I knew what he meant and I certainly didn't want him to do THAT!! We were newly weds, and that would have been so embarrassing to me but at the same time, I considered "breathing" through my mouth again! I should have, lol. What is it that they say about hindsight?

When I am down with an illness, I take rectal temperatures. I trust the reading will be more accurate, but moreover, I can stand at the bathroom sink while it is inserted in my rectum and take medicine, brush my teeth or just drink some water and know that the reading will not be effected. Most times, when sick, I am also congested. It is hard to breathe and oral readings are difficult to obtain as I become a ''Mouth breather" at those times.

With rectal readings , I can lay on my stomach and relax while the temperature is being taken for the full three minutes. I know the "core reading " is my true temperature and there is no "guess work". IT is also much more comfortable for me , Oral thermometers always seemed to poke the tender skin under my tongue and I had the habit of lightly biting down on the thermometer to keep it in place in my mouth.

Rectal temperature taking and rectal mercury glass thermometers as I've been told by medical professionals, is still considered the "Gold Standard" of obtaining a person's body temperature.

Rectal temperature taking and rectal mercury glass thermometers as I've been told by medical professionals, is still considered the "Gold Standard" of obtaining a person's body temperature.

It may be a gold standard, but just like gold, it is also expensive in the usage of time considered as a resource.

Besides, determining the nature of an illness very seldom rides on obtaining temperatures to such a degree of accuracy. An individual's normal base temperature can and does differ from what is said to be the accepted, but also mythological average.

Just like most building activity does not require an accuracy going to tenths of a millimeter, the same applies to temperature taking.

Yes rectal temperature taking or monitoring is regarded as the "gold standard" by most medical personnel in critical care . However rectal mercury glass thermometers are not used in critical care , or much in hospitals due to the regulations for cleaning up mercury spillage. We use a rectal temperature probe for our monitoring .

Accurate body temperature readings are important because they are used to make diagnoses, check for infectious diseases, evaluate whether or not a treatment is working, and guide patient management.

In a recent study published Nov. 16 2015 in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers reviewed 75 published studies. They found that peripheral thermometers are less accurate than rectal thermometers, particularly for low-grade fevers. Health care workers should use rectal thermometers when a patient's temperature will influence diagnosis and treatment, the researchers said in a news release from the American College of Physicians. This is vitally important with patients in critical care as early detection and prompt treatment can mean the difference between life and death. Critically ill patients normally have a degree of immunocompromisation.

The reason why its considered the " gold standard" is that, it is the method which gives the closest reading to a person's core temperature. Core temperature is normally maintained within a narrow range so that essential enzymatic reactions can occur. Significant core temperature elevation (hyperthermia) or depression (hypothermia) that is prolonged for more than a brief period of time is incompatible with human life.

Changes in core temperature either elevation or depression is indicative of infection in critically ill patients , in addition to changes in White blood cell (WBC), C-Reactive Protein (CRP is an acute phase reactant, a protein made by the liver and released into the blood within a few hours after tissue injury, the start of an infection, or other cause of inflammation) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR is the rate at which red blood cells sediment in a period of one hour. It is a common hematology test, and is a non-specific measure of inflammation.)

Although during the last few years with the advent of urinary catheters with a temperature port, this method is starting to become the preferred route in critical care as most patients have a catheter in situ . In my experience its just as accurate as rectal temperatures probes.

Whenever my husband or I are sick, out comes mom's old rectal thermometer and the K-Y jelly. Despite all these temps taken, we still have red faces whenever one of us orders to pull down our pants and bare our other set of cheeks. My cousin, Tara, lives across the street and will often take my temperature during the time my husband is at work. She and her husband also get rectal temps.

My girlfriend only takes my temperature rectally, we have a few glass thermometers and digital and a rectal temperature probe she takes it with

My lady friend stayed over after a party, and when she woke up she really felt sick. She called me to her room and asked if I had a thermometer so she could take her temp.

I told her it was in the bathroom cabinet and I would get it for her. I gave her my oral thermometer, and as she was shaking it down, it flew out of her hand and broke on the floor. She said she was sorry, and after I cleaned up the glass I said the only other one I had was a Rectal. She looked at me surprised, and said are you kidding, and I said no. I told her that was it. She said to get it. I came back with the glass rod and some lube. She confessed she hadn't had her temp taken that way since she was little. I gave her the thermometer and was leaving the room, when she called me back, and asked if i would help. And that is when she told me she really enjoyed the feeling, and was surprised how she really got turned on having her temp taken that way.

My lady friend stayed over after a party, and when she woke up she really felt sick.

And that is when she told me she really enjoyed the feeling, and was surprised how she really got turned on having her temp taken that way.

And was she really sick or not?

It's hard to run across women who would submit to a rectal temp taking....especially these days.

I haven't been feeling great for the last day or so and thought it would be interesting to take my temperature. It's a cheap digital thermometer that can be used several ways but has only ever been used rectaly during play so I'm not putting it in my mouth now. Have been dropping my shorts every few hours since I got home. Not the turn on it is when someone's playing with me but still not unpleasant

We are trying to conceive, so my husband takes my basal body temperature every chart day. My gyno's nurse suggested rectal temps, since they are the most accurate and its proximity to the womb area. My mother then gave me her old basal thermometer and also told me it should be taken rectally.

By the way, mom gave us one of our old mercury rectal fever thermometers, as well. I know we had at least 2 rectal thermometers for illness, because i am one of 5 kids in my family. Now, we have 2 thermometers, one clinical and one basal- both used rectally on me, i also take my husband's temp rectally, whenever he doesn't feel well!

Was recently in the er for a suspected infection in my body. Having felt warm but having a oral temp of 99.2 the nurse said to the physician assistant do you want a rectal she said yes I was turned on my side and about 10 seconds later the cold KY cover probe from the suretemp thermometer went in. Temp was 100.6 by the way.

I take my temp orally when i start to feel ill. If it registers above 100 then i switch to rectal. My doc was around 65 and never took temps at all. He would just look at you, pallor, movement and could determine how sick you were at the moment. He woyld ask you instead like its your responsibility and hes right. Ive gone in there and reported a temp of 103.6 when i had bronchitis and he never seemed concerned.

I have always taken my temperature rectally or it's been taken that way for me as I was growing up.

January 2015: Lying in bed with a miserable and painful throat infection and 102 temp, pouring rain in mid-winter, my husband sits down bedside with rectal thermometer and small tube of Vaseline, and helps me turn on my side. A little TLC becomes an intimate and memorable moment. I still remember this.

Vicki V: When I'm sick I love it when my wife tells me to go on the side and (if needed) lower my pants, then inserts the thermometer or suppository.

For me; swelling of my glands and ear infections. There is a 50/50 chance that my temperature was taken rectally for an illness.

I definitely prefer rectal. I think a big part of my fetish is wanting to feel cared for. The taker cares for me so much that they're willing to embarrass me, because they're concerned about me and think it's so important to make sure I'm well. I'd love if someone took my temperature rectally when I was actually sick.

When I am sick I take mine rectally

I have a history of developing deadly uro-sepsis. When I go to the emergency room and have been orally confirmed to have a fever, they immediately get a second reading from me rectally. As far as the accuracy being the ‘same’, it must not be, because when your life may be on the line; they no longer go by an oral reading. When it (has to be exact), they want a rectal temp. This has been my experiences at several hospitals here in the USA. When you’re that sick, there’s absolutely nothing erotic about it.

Generally I will do my own temperature rectally when I am sick as it is the most accurate way. But I don’t tell the doctor how I take it haha.

I have a history of developing deadly uro-sepsis. When I go to the emergency room and have been orally confirmed to have a fever, they immediately get a second reading from me rectally. As far as the accuracy being the ‘same’, it must not be, because when your life may be on the line; they no longer go by an oral reading. When it (has to be exact), they want a rectal temp. This has been my experiences at several hospitals here in the USA. When you’re that sick, there’s absolutely nothing erotic about it.

Absolutely agree with you ? percent. In a real medical setting it is far from erotic it is quick and over before you know it. Mainly to minimize patient exposure and discomfort.

I agree as well, I only take my temp rectally but other than one or two friends with like interests, and on a board or two, I don't tell anyone.

I've been taking my temp. rectally for more than 40 years, whether the sun is shining, or the rain is pouring. Sickness, or pleasure, it's the only way to go. I've been able to also confirm if I'm running a slight fever, that an oral temperature wouldn't have picked up.

I haven't logged in here in a long while but wanted to since I'm really sick with strep I contracted from my 7 yr old niece. It's been a very long time since I've had a fever. My rectal temp is hovering around the 103 degree mark. So when you're really running a temp, did you ever notice how hot a glass mercury thermometer feels on the way out? I just noticed this today! I didnt even want to read it. It's like you can tell its really high just by that. Also to my dismay I've recently learned that you don't need antibiotics for strep. It clears up on its own after 4 to 6 days. Yes, your throat will be on fire and your temperature will rage but they give penicillin injections just to make you feel better and really to prevent rheumatic fever. Here's the catch. It's so rare to get this the chances are less than 1%. They've been lying to me all these years. I'm so happy that I'll never have to endure that huge needle in my butt ever again. After the nurse takes my temp I'm just gonna pull up my panties and sit up. I'm gonna let them prepare the injection and when they tell me to turn over and lift my skirt again I'm gonna whip out the medical journal article and walk right out of that ER. Rectal temps and suppositories are just something I wont be able to get away from but no more butt trauma!

Theyve been lying to me all these years. I'm so happy that ill never have to endure that huge needle in my butt ever again.

Well - I'm not aware of any place, at least in the US, that routinely gives abx as IM injections - believe me, I've tried (I rather dislike pills, and have asked for shots for convenience sake, to no avail). If you are completely unable to swallow, perhaps they might consider it, but then I'd argue, it might be worth the shot - particularly as modern abx formulations are nothing like the days of old.

There are also other complications of strep as well, as the infection can spread. Yes, Rheumatic fever is among the most common issues, but there are loads of others, everything from basic scarlet fevers to organ inflammation and, thus, function compromise. There are hundreds and hundreds of medical articles in various journals and on the web, that can be used to say nearly anything anyone wants about anything and everything, but in fact, not all are relevant in all situations and meaningful in all applications - it takes 8+ years of training to learn how to apply them generally, which is what makes doctors important.

That's not to say that it isn't good to do some research, but that research shouldn't be a substitute for professional advice on the subject - in the same way that I wouldn't expect someone who just learned the C chord on a guitar to critique Brahms - sure - they use the same chord, but there is SO much more to it than that. On the other hand, a bit of research can be an excellent way to begin a conversation with a doctor, and benefit from a deeper understanding of that conversation at the end.

Best of luck!

On the original post - if I actually have a fever, I've likely crawled into bed and will bark and bite at anyone who comes anywhere near me...so you can forget a thermometer in my ass...I'm not a very nice person when I'm sick....lol

What better way to determine how you illness is progressing than by taking you temperature the most accurate way!

I don’t knock anyone who enjoys rectal temps or the need for added accuracy. I too enjoy anal insertions - but enjoy them with something larger than a thermometer. So love and enjoy your RTs. I just question - how does the increased accuracy of rectal vs oral influence your medical treatment.? Do you know what a fever temp is rectally vs orally? Do you treat your symptoms idifferently based on the added accuracy of a rectal temp? We don’t have a thermometer - oral or rectal in our house. I can sense when a “hot” feeling requires a doc either for me or my wife. We’ve never called a doc based on temp, usually other symptoms (sinus congestion, etc.) when they are serious have prompted a call to the doctor..

Not treating strep is just stupid. I've had patients with severe pain that wasn't in their throat.. And a very positive anti-streptolysin O titre. Easily prevented with a week of penicillin, months to get the pain to resolve. I've seen kidney damage from strep. There is indeed a move away from treating strep in the name of "antibiotic stewardship", but considering beta-hemolytic strep is still very sensitive to penicillin, even after all these decades, I'll stick with treating it when it happens.

Oh, and if you're still not feeling all that great, I've got some Bicillin LA on my fridge. If you lower your pants a little and bend over, I'd be happy to share..

Doc