let me know what you think - Children's Health Message Board

meggs · 04-13-2001, 01:13 AM

hi i have one small male child who is 1 and a half...recently he has been ill and i have had to take his temperature i know that he is too young to take it orally because he cannot keep his mouth closed.....i hesitate to take it in his ear because i have heard that this can be inaccurate....so that leaves taking it rectally but i have heard that some people think that this is a form of child abuse to take his temp this way...i know that it must be uncomfortable for him but is there anything i can do to make it less uncomfortable? and is it really abuse all i am trying to do is to help my son feel better let me know what you think----thank you

eweejoe · 04-13-2001, 10:14 AM

You can also take your son's temperature under his arm - in the arm pit. I purchased a small battery operated thermometer several years ago. It is not much bigger than a regular glass thermometer. I use it under my kids arms. The rectal reading is the most accurate. I was told when I take my kids' temps under their arms to add one degree for the most accurate temp. Sure enough, when they aren't sick it reads 97.6 degrees, instead of 98.6. You can also use the glass thermometers under their arms, but just make sure it isn't one specifically designed for rectal temps. It should have a more ball-shaped rounded head on it, whereas the rectal ones are longer and more slender. Taking your childs temperature is NOT abuse, it is looking out for your childs best interest. If you do decide to take it rectally, the best thing you can do for your child is to use vaseline and clean the thermometer with alcohol inbetween uses. Hope this has helped. Good Luck!

Bethanne · 04-17-2001, 08:57 AM

I used to work for a pediatrician and we always took the temps under their arm. Even infants. You just need to make sure you put the tip of the thermometer up in the armpit well, and it will be 1 degree cooler that if you took it orally, and rectal temps are 1 degree warmer than orally. And 98.6 is the average temp, but not the rule. Some people have a normal of 96 - 99 degrees so just because it's not 98.6 doesn't mean somethings wrong.
Beth

Lynn893 · 04-17-2001, 10:57 AM

They also sell proper ear thermometers at such places as drug stores and large department stores. They could run about $40 - 100 CAN depending on where you go but are well worth it as they last for years and years.
I would look into this as you will be taking your son's temp. many many times over the course of his childhood - and it only takes about 5 seconds for the temp to be taken.

Peace