My son who is 13 has a cold and cough and I want to take his temperature. His pediatrician said to take it rectally and give him a suppository if he has a fever above 100 but he won't let me because he is embarrassed. His father is out of town. Any ideas?
2006-07-01 12:31:44 · 15 answers · asked by Fabala 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
I see no reason to take a rectal temp on a child his age... the only reason a suppository would be required is if his fever is excessive (100 is not excessive) & he is vomitting and can't keep it down orally.
My suggestion is you call another pediatrician if thats the advice this one gave you.
2006-07-01 12:38:19 · answer #1 · answered by bigbadwolfe_2 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree, 13 sounds a bit old to need a rectal temp check. Unless there's a problem (like coughing too much to get good reading)just take it orally (or with one of the electronic ear/temporal thermometers)--should be plenty accurate--I don't even take my 4-yr old's temp rectally anymore. And I can't possibly imagine why oral fever-reducing medication shouldn't be perfectly fine for a teenager too (just so long as it's not aspirin).
BTW, your son is really old enough to leave the pediatrician at this point too, and based on that doctor's advice, I personally would do that if it were my son.
2006-07-01 12:49:07 · answer #2 · answered by TexasMom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry, but let's see, He shouldn't be going to a pediatrician, he's not a child, second, I know from experience that when a child turns 6-9 months old that they don't have 2 have it done rectally. Plus, even if his father were, what would it matter, I mean, he's 13, come on. You need 2 switch him to a family doctor.
2006-07-01 15:42:17 · answer #3 · answered by Yoshi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he needs to switch to a general pratitioner, most pediatricians are out of touch with teens. Use an ear thermometer. Suppository he has to do on his own. If he refuses all nothing you can do, his body his choice.
2006-07-02 00:21:09 · answer #4 · answered by badmikey4 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a 13 yr old is too old to have thier tempature taken rectally, an oral thermometer, or an ear thermometer is the best, the ear thermometer, is 99% correct
2006-07-01 12:42:07 · answer #5 · answered by dahorndogd013 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HERE IS A TRUE ANWSER IF YOU WANT AN ACURATE TEMPERATURE YOU MUST TAKE IT IN THE RECTUM JUST EXPLAIN IT TO YOUR SON EVEN LET HIM PUT IT IN AND TAKE IT OUT (MAKE SURE YOUR READ THE TEMP THOOUGH) WITH THE SUPPOSATORY THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO ADMINISTER A DRUG MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN IN A SUPPOSATORY IF YOU SON IS REALLY HURTING THE INSTANT RELIEF A SUPPOSATORY BRINGS WILL OVERIDE HIS EMBARESSMENT
2006-07-01 15:43:04 · answer #6 · answered by matthewmcsparrin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him put it up there. Your doctor is crazy. His temp. will be high if he has a fever anywhere you take it. Let him push the suppository up there.
2006-07-01 12:41:56 · answer #7 · answered by TMAC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a new electronic ear thermometer or forehead thermometer. If not those use an oral mercury thermometer. You need to respect his privacy at that age.
2006-07-01 12:35:39 · answer #8 · answered by snddupree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take his temperature another way while listening to the song temperature by sean paul
2006-07-01 14:43:04 · answer #9 · answered by We Can Make The Night Last 4Ever 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Demonstrate to him how to do it on a doll or stuffed animal. When you are sure he knows how to do it safely, stay nearby and let him do it. Good Luck!
2006-07-01 12:41:31 · answer #10 · answered by Kim S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋