100 degrees rectal temp with cough - When to keep a kid home from school? Says she wants to go

[Anonymous]

100 F rectal = 99 F oral. Is that even considered a fever in a child? I think the cutoff at most schools is 100 F.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(Get an under-the-arm thermometer.)

Why is everyone so hung up on the OP taking a rectal temp? It is a way to get an accurate temp. Most young kids cannot keep a thermometer in well and under arm is not as accurate.

We have an ear thermometer, but sometimes I do a double check with a rectal with my two year old.

I'm not hung up on it; that's why I put it in parenthesis, as in, 'here's an aside -- there are underarm thermometers). Seriously, I had no idea anyone took rectal temperatures anymore. Seems archaic.

When I call my pediatrician's office to get sick appointment for my 2 year old, they always ask, "Was it a rectal temp?" It is extremely accurate unless you have a professional grade ear thermometer. We have a pretty good ear thermometer at home that I always start with, but if it registers high at all, I switch to rectal. Its not painful - my DD barely notices!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:(Get an under-the-arm thermometer.)

I got the kind that you swipe across the forehead. Soooooo much easier. Worth $30. Saw them at CVS now.

[Anonymous]

We've always been told by daycare, preschool or school that if they are running a temp of 100 or greater they should be at home.