Rectal thermometers are generally only used to measure the body temperature of infants, although nowadays, this method is also commonly used to measure the body temperature of elderly people who are sick. In particular, doctors state that measuring temperature through the rectal area will produce the most accurate numbers, especially for children under 4 years of age or others who are not/not yet able to take oral temperature measurements. Unfortunately, the wrong method can tear the rectal wall or trigger uncomfortable pain. If you are concerned about these side effects, try reading this article for tips on using a rectal thermometer safely and effectively.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Knowing the Right Time to Take the Temperature of the Rectal Area
Step 1. Identify the presence or absence of fever symptoms
Although children and newborns may not show these symptoms. keep learning some of the conditions that commonly accompany fever, namely:
- Sweating and shivering
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Loss of appetite
- Body that feels weak
- Hallucinations, confusion, irritability, seizures, and dehydration may accompany a very high fever.
Step 2. Consider the age, health condition, and behavior of the child or elderly person
For infants under 3 months of age, taking temperature measurements through the rectal area is the most recommended method, especially since their ear canals are still too small to make an electronic ear thermometer difficult to apply.
- For children aged 3 months to 4 years, an electronic ear thermometer can be used to measure temperature through the ear canal. If you want, you can also use a rectal thermometer to take their temperature through the rectum, or a digital thermometer to take their temperature through the armpit, although the results of the measurement using the latter method are less accurate.
- For children who are over 4 years old and can work well together, you can use a digital thermometer to take their temperature orally. However, if they have to breathe through their mouth because they have nasal obstruction, understand that the measurement results will be inaccurate. If the child's condition is not excellent, please use an electronic ear thermometer, temporal artery thermometer, or digital thermometer to measure body temperature through the armpit.
- For elderly people, consider their behavior and/or medical condition to determine the best temperature measurement method for the most accurate results. If measuring temperature rectally or orally is impractical or impossible, please use an electronic ear thermometer or a temporal artery thermometer.
Method 2 of 4: Preparing for the Measurement Process
Step 1. Purchase a digital thermometer
This type of thermometer can be easily found in major pharmacies and online stores; make sure the product you buy is intended for use through the rectal area. If you wish to use a digital thermometer to take temperature rectally and orally, please purchase two of the same product and label each thermometer according to its function. Also do not use a mercury thermometer, or a mercury thermometer placed in a glass tube and has never been used.
- Generally, rectal thermometers are equipped with small lights that are specifically designed to be as safe as possible to facilitate the measurement process.
- Read the instructions for use on the thermometer packaging. Remember, the rectal thermometer should not be left in the rectum for too long. That's why you need to familiarize yourself with how to use a specific thermometer to ensure accuracy and safety.
Step 2. Make sure the baby or other patient does not bathe for at least 20 minutes before taking the temperature
In particular, also make sure that the baby is not tightly bandaged by the swaddle during this period of time so that the temperature measurement results are more accurate.
Step 3. Clean the tip of the thermometer with rubbing alcohol or soapy water
To prevent the spread of bacteria, never use an unsanitized rectal thermometer to take the temperature anywhere else!
Step 4. Apply petroleum gel to the tip of the thermometer to make it easier to insert into the rectum
If you prefer to use a special wrapping layer instead of petroleum gel, feel free to do so, but be careful that the coating is prone to being left in the rectum when the thermometer is removed. That's why you should hold the end of the coating tightly when removing the thermometer from the rectal area, and since the coating should only be used once, don't forget to throw it away after the measurement is over.
Step 5. Lay the baby on his back, then insert the thermometer into his rectum to a depth of about 1.3-2.5 cm
Make sure the thermometer is inserted without coercion, yes! Then, leave the thermometer still until the indicator beeps or gives another signal, then remove the thermometer and check the measurement results.
Turn on the thermometer
Method 3 of 4: Measuring the Temperature of the Rectal Area
Step 1. Separate the patient's buttocks with the help of your thumb and index finger, until the rectal area is visible
With the other hand, gently insert the thermometer into the area, about 1.3-2.5 cm deep.
- The tip of the thermometer should be pointed at the patient's navel.
- Stop if you feel resistance from the patient's body.
Step 2. Hold the thermometer tightly with one hand, then use the other hand to calm the patient and hold the body
Remember, the patient should not move much during the measurement process to minimize the risk of injury.
- If the patient is constantly moving, it is feared that the temperature readings displayed will not be accurate. In addition, the risk of injury to the rectum will increase.
- Never leave an infant or elderly person while the rectal thermometer is still in their rectum.
Step 3. Gently remove the thermometer after it beeps or gives another signal indicating that the measurement process has been completed
Then, read the temperature listed and don't forget to record it. Generally, the temperature shown on a rectal thermometer will be 0.3-0.6 degrees Celsius higher than the temperature produced by an oral measurement.
If the thermometer is wrapped in a disposable layer, remember to remove it from the patient's rectum and throw it away after use
Step 4. Clean the thermometer properly before storing
Wash the thermometer with soapy water or pure alcohol to sterilize it, then dry the thermometer and place it back in its package. Remember, rectal thermometers should only be used in the rectal area!
Method 4 of 4: Doing Medical Treatment
Step 1. Call the doctor if the body temperature of a baby under 3 months old reaches 38 degrees Celsius or more, with or without other symptoms
Remember, this step is very important to do, especially because the newborn's immune system is not yet fully developed. As a result, they have very limited ability to fight disease, despite their high susceptibility to serious bacterial infections, such as kidney and bloodstream infections, and pneumonia.
If your child has a fever after office hours or on weekends, immediately take him to the nearest Emergency Unit (ER)
Step 2. Call your doctor if you have a fever that is not accompanied by other symptoms
In particular, call the doctor if your 3-6 month old child has a fever that reaches 38 degrees Celsius and looks more tired than usual, is easily irritated, or is uncomfortable for no apparent reason. Also call the doctor if the child's body temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius, with or without other symptoms.
For children aged 6-24 months, contact the doctor if the temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius, and if the fever lasts for more than a day without any other symptoms. Meanwhile, if the fever is accompanied by symptoms such as coughing, diarrhea, or a cold, it's best not to wait too long to contact a doctor, of course, taking into account the severity of the symptoms
Step 3. Identify other situations that require immediate medical attention
In fact, there are some situations that require you to involve a doctor, and the specific situation really depends on the age of the patient and the symptoms they are experiencing.
- For children, contact the doctor if the temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius, even if the fever is accompanied by ambiguous symptoms, such as fatigue, restlessness, and unexplained discomfort. Also contact the doctor if the child's body temperature does not go down for more than 3 days even though it has been treated.
- For adults, call your doctor if you have a fever that doesn't go down even after treatment. Also call the doctor if the person's body temperature is 39 degrees Celsius or more, even if the fever lasts for more than 3 days.
Step 4. Watch out for below-average body temperatures in newborns
If the child's body temperature is lower than it should be, which is around 36 degrees Celsius, contact the doctor immediately! When sick, a newborn may not be able to regulate his body temperature.
Step 5. Call the doctor immediately if children aged 2 years or older have a fever without other symptoms, such as cold symptoms, diarrhea, etc
In particular, take your child to the doctor if the fever persists for 3 days or is accompanied by any of the following:
- have sore throat for more than 24 hours
- showing signs of dehydration (dry mouth, having not wet the diaper for 8 hours or more, or urinating less and less recently)
- feel pain when urinating
- doesn't want to eat, has a rash on his body, has trouble breathing, or
- just got back from another country.
Step 6. Take the child to the doctor if any unwanted side effects occur
In certain situations, you may need to take a child who has a fever to the doctor. For example, if your child has a fever after being left in a hot car or in another equally dangerous situation, take him to the doctor immediately, especially if this condition is accompanied by other emergency signs:
- Fever and unable to sweat.
- Intense headache.
- Confusion.
- Prolonged vomiting or diarrhea.
- Seizures.
- Neck stiffness.
- Discomfort or a tendency to be more irritable.
- Other unusual symptoms.
Step 7. Call a doctor immediately if temperature measurements in adults are accompanied by certain symptoms
In fact, even adults may experience emergency problems after taking their temperature rectally. In addition to fever, some symptoms to watch out for:
- The appearance of an intense headache.
- The occurrence of severe swelling in the throat area.
- The appearance of an unusual skin rash, especially a rash whose condition worsens rapidly.
- The appearance of stiffness in the neck and difficulty lowering the head.
- Increased sensitivity to very bright light.
- There was confusion.
- The appearance of a persistent cough.
- The occurrence of muscle weakness or sensory changes.
- Seizures occur.
- The appearance of difficulty breathing or chest pain.
- The emergence of a tendency to be very irritable and/or lethargic.
- The appearance of pain in the abdominal area when urinating.
- The appearance of symptoms that are difficult to explain.
