How long do wait after you eat to take your temperature?

Answer 1

For oral temperatures, it's a good idea to wait at least 20 - 30 min. after eating for it to be accurate. As eating would have an effect on basal body temperature. Ditto with exercise. However, if it's taken rectally or via the ear, there's no frame of time limit required for accuracy.

Fever occurs when the body's internal "thermostat" raises the body temperature above its normal level. This thermostat is found in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus knows what temperature your body should be (usually around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 37 degrees Celsius) and will send messages to your body to keep it that way.

Most people's body temperatures even change a little bit during the course of the day: It's usually a little lower in the morning and a little higher in the evening and can fluctuate as kids run around, play, and exercise.

Sometimes, though, the hypothalamus will "reset" the body to a higher temperature in response to an infection, illness, or some other cause. So, why does the hypothalamus tell the body to change to a new temperature? Researchers believe turning up the heat is the body's way of fighting the germs that cause infections and making the body a less comfortable place for them.

Answer 2

To get the most accurate reading probably about 40 mins or longer, however if you are taking the temperature in the ear then it shouldn't make any difference how close it is. By the time the blood is in that area, it shouldn't have had any effect from the temperature in the gut.

Answer 3

According to this link, about 15-25 min, It's almost halfway down the page.
http://www.drarthister.com/?m=200602