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Thermometer recs and ?s
Hi there!
Wondering if you can recommend your rectal thermometer.
Last Thursday, Gwen was acting super fussy, which is abnormal for her, and she was screaming in pain, so I took her to the ER, thinking she may have an ear infection. When I took her temp at home with our temporal scanner, it showed 98.2. That was at 8:30 pm. I took her to the ER at 9, after we talked to Ped, and they took her temp using an under the arm thermometer that read 99, then 10 mins later they took her temp rectally, which was 100.6. Since she was above the threshold, they admitted her. She had IV antibiotics, spinal tap, chest X ray, catheder, blood work, cultures, the works. WORST NIGHT OF MY LIFE. Super traumatizing, plus, since she is so little (she was 4 weeks old that day), they had to poke her twice for the IV and twice for the spinal tap. HORRIBLE. I never want to go through that again! I can't explain the gut wrenching feeling that was going on. We were there till 2 am, when the doc said it was probably better for us to go home and monitor her, rather than admit to hospital for monitoring, in case she picked more up. The doc recommended using the rectal thermometer for the first year, and not the temporal.
So, not sure if her temp went up that fast, or the method of taking her temp was more accurate, but now we have a Vick's rectal thermometer. Works fine, but I am wondering if it is the best we could get. We picked it up from Walgreens, but I am sure there are better out there. If you use a rectal thermometer, can you recommend your brand? Also, I know that her temp is highest in the late afternoon/early evening. Has anyone taken your babe's temp on occasion just to see what average is? She is running pretty normal since then, I think (hope I am using it right- I am so nervous to be sticking things up there!).
I had another question, but can't remember right now, so will have to post later!
TIA!
Re: Thermometer recs and ?s
That's pretty typical considering different types of thermometers were being used. I'm guessing her temp was hovering around 100ish. I think you add a degree or two with an under arm, etc. and rectal is supposed to be most accurate. However the most important thing to know is how warm the head/brain is because that's where damage can occur.
Honestly I think any rectal thermometer is going to be fine. I hate all thermometers because I've never ever found one that didn't give me three different reads with three different tries. Our under arm one is for the birds. It's a vicks brand. Our safety 1st ear one might as well be measuring air. If there's a draft in the room the temporal lobe one is off. I kind of gave up and use the mommy's kiss method. lol! Then again, my kids are older.
Thanks for the the responses!
I was wondering about the temporal scanner- although really convenient, it seemed so inaccurate (I would take it several times and each time would be different as well).
I just wish there was a way to do it without having to put in in her behind! I worry, even though there is a guard to prevent it to go in too far. I have been using my inner wrist and kisses too!
Ugh, so sorry to hear what you've been going through... Sure hope she's feeling better!
We have the Safety First thermometer with the 3 interchangeable tips, and that one has probably been my favorite. When I've had to take Z's temp rectally, I like knowing that specific "tip" is for that specific purpose...
Agree with you & PP that the temporal one is horribly inaccurate. We've tried it numerous times on ourselves & on Z, and we get different readings every single time.
Good luck!