How The Test Will Feel There is very little discomfort. It is recommended that the patient wait at least 1 hour after vigorous exercise or a hot bath. Wait for 20 to 30 minutes after smoking , eating, or drinking a hot or cold liquid. The normal temperature varies from person to person, by age, and throughout the day. If the reading on the thermometer is more than 1 to 1.5 degrees above the patient's normal temperature, the patient has a fever .
Most fevers are a sign of infection and occur with other symptoms.
Abnormally high or low temperatures can be serious, and you should consult a health care provider. What The Risks Are There is essentially no risk. There is a rare risk of bowel perforation if the rectal thermometer is not carefully inserted. The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.