Rectal Thermometer

While traditionally taking one's temperature orally with the old-fashioned straight glass thermometer is a cultural icon, there are other types of thermometers and very good reasons for using them. Taking one's temperature by mouth can be not only uncomfortable, but has the disadvantage of being on average up to 10 percent inaccurate and take several minutes to get the reading at that. Using ear thermometers, especially with infants and young children, can give a slightly more accurate temperature reading and be much less uncomfortable or frightening as well as being quicker. Some ear thermometers have been developed using infrared technology that can get a reading almost instantaneously.

However, the medical profession will always fall back on the use of rectal thermometers whenever they can. Despite the potential for discomfort, acquiring a temperature reading rectally is the most accurate way to get the reading. It will measure core body temperature much faster and give an indication of possible disease quicker than will show even in oral readings. Great strides have been made in designing rectal thermometers for increased comfort and safety is their use. Many of them are designed with flexible rubber probes that can bend with the body's contours and cause less discomfort. For safety reasons and to prevent the transmission of disease organisms, these types of "probe" rectal thermometers use a disposable covering or sheath over the actual instrument.

Most doctors warn against using glass thermometers to take temperature rectally as the danger of breakage is a serious consideration and many cases of injury from broken glass have been treated. Conversely, doctors also warn to take care when using the softer rubber and plastic probe style rectal thermometers as well as improper attachment of the protective sheaths on these probes can come off and cause blockages and other problems as well.

Despite the accuracy and need to utilize rectal thermometers in disease diagnosis, the puerile nature of the human mind has turned this ubiquitous medical tool into the "butt” of "end"less jokes and even an entire fetish genre for porn sites. An online search for medical information about rectal thermometers is hard to do since most of your search will be in wading through the countless sites filled with naughty nurse jokes, the pants down rectal thermometer cartoons, pictures of rectal thermometers being used and misused. You will find sites dedicated to free rectal thermometer jokes and "horror" stories. There are video sites devoted to the use and misuse of rectal thermometers. You may even stumble upon a picture of the world's largest rectal thermometer which would put the manliest of porn stars to shame.