Where to take temp on kids?

A lot depends on the type of thermometer used and the age of the youngster. Assuming that the youngster is between the ages five to twelve years old, inclusive, the procedure for taking a youngster's temperature using a noninvasive thermometer (for example, an ear thermometer) is dependent of the manufacturer's instructions. Unfortunately, many caretakers have obtained inconsistent results when using noninvasive thermometers. There is no question that proper technique could be a reason for a lack of desired results. It has been suggested that the use of noninvasive thermometers would be best left to medical staff that have been properly trained to use these devices. Probe type thermometer yield the best results for a typical caretaker. Unless exceptional circumstances would apply, a youngsters temperature is taken orally using an electronic probe thermometer.

Although considered outdated by the medical community, glass thermometers are still used in many households. Therefore, use of glass thermometers must be addressed for those caretakers that continue to use them. There are two main concerns when using a glass thermometer to take a youngster's temperature: (1) they are fragile and break into glass splinters, (2) take three to five minutes to register, depending on the manufacturer, and (3) the Mercury fill is a powerful neurotoxin. The mercury fill is of most concern but can be avoided with careful handling. As an added precaution, it should be shaken down on a carpeted floor.

Ordinarily, a youngster over the age of five years old can be depended upon to maintain a glass thermometer in his mouth for at least three minutes without a mishap and therefore have his temperature taken orally, while that capability would be in question for a youngster five years of age and so by default that youngster would be required to have his temperature taken rectally. However, those youngsters over the age of five years old that are intellectually deficient, have certain emotional disorders, or are immature should, for their own safety, have their temperatures taken rectally using a glass rectal thermometer.

A caretaker that prefers using a glass thermometer to take a youngster's temperature would also likely have the resolve to take a youngster's temperature rectally. On the other hand, a nine year old boy, for example, would likely be annoyed and express displeasure at having a glass rectal thermometer securely lodged in his rear end, especially in light that his peers have their temperature taken orally and knowing that a rectal temperature would be reserved for a five year old boy. As such it would be difficult for him to accept that it is in his best interest that his temperature is being taken rectally. Over the course of recovering from an illness over a period of a week or more, at having his temperature taken rectally three or four times a day, he would eventually get accustomed to it.