How does rectal temperature compare to oral?

Question

I have a 1 year old with a rectal tempature of 101.3. How does a rectal tempature compare to tempature taken orally? Are there charts or can you just add 1 or subtract 1 to get the right answer. Please cite your source.

Answer 1

I know you do that add or reduce a degree or something like that, but I don't know which...this could help you with that though http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/bhealth/0,,3q7q,00.html or http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/491657 I believe the whole idea of those articles, the rectal temperature is the correct one. No adding or subtracting needed.

I do know that if the temperature is taken rectally, then normal temperatures run from 98.9 to 100.4. http://www.medhelp.org/glossary2/new/GLS_3965.HTM

To avoid all that confusion, and because I didn't want to stick that poor thing in my son, I went out and bought the same thermometer that his doctor uses. It just scans his forehead. Quick 2 second scan across the forehead to give you the temperature.

Granted, it was $50, it's worth the money.

This tells you all the normal temperatures no matter where you check on the baby....http://www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/tw9223.asp

Answer 2

If you don't like the rectal idea. Do an underarm reading and add a degree to it. So if you got a temp of 100 under the arm it would actually be 101. Orally just won't work with a 1 yr old.

Answer 3

A Rectal temp is usually pretty correct. The reason we take a child's rectally is because they can't hold the thermometer in their mouth under their tongue like a 4 or 5 year old would. But actually the butt gives a better core temperature than orally.

Answer 4

For a baby or toddler the rectal temp is going to be more accurate. It seems almost impossible to get a baby or toddler to put a thermometer under their tounge and hold it still for the amount of time it takes to get a temp. Most Dr.s don't want to add or subtract a point to an iffy temp....they just want a rectal temp....because it's accurate.

Answer 5

I'll type what my baby book says (always handy): Normal body temp is between 96.8 and 99.5° F, depending on the time of day. Temp is lowest in middle of the night and highest in the afternoon. An oral temp above 100.4 may be a sign of illness.

It depends on how you take the temp if it is considered a fever or not. Over 99.4 if taken under the arm, as temp is slightly lower. 100.4 if taken orally with a digital therm. 101.3 if taken rectally.

Answer 6

Rectal temperatures taken in infants are considered the most accurate, thats why they are taken from that area, and not as an oral reading.

We never added or subtracted anything to get an acutal temperature, we just read what the thermometer said.

News to me.

Answer 7

Normal Oral temp is 98.6 degrees.
For rectal temp, you subtract one from what the thermometor says, so 101.3 means 100.3.
For underarm temp, you add one degree to what the thermometor says.

Answer 8

You just subtract one degree so his temp is 100.3. I am a LVN they teach you that in nursing school.