Yes. If you are thinking of appendicitis, then the presence of the
temperature can be a helpful pointer. It also convinces the parents that
you are doing the examination properly. A traditional thermometer also
keeps everyone quiet for three minutes and gives you time to think.
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of John Lowes
Sent: 27 April 1998 20:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Dream on........
Can anyone give me an example that taking a child temperature in primary
care has altered the management of the illness of that child?
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of David Evans
Sent: 26 April 1998 22:33
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dream on........
On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 04:54:30 EDT, Medandson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>One of our better local Paediatric Consultants says that kids are hot or
not
>hot and really all of this "Have you actually got a temperature recorded
>doctor?"I think is probably a ploy by abrasive registrars to a)humiliate
and
>b)deflect referrals.
Yes, but subjective skin temperature can be very deceptive, esp. in
adults. I am sometimes surprised by pryrexias suggesting significant
infection in someone whose skin felt normal - e.g. 39.5 C in a pt with
loin pain. Conversely lots of people with flushed hot feeling faces
have normal temps when you measure them, and when it only takes a few
seconds, why not do it?
David
---------------------------------------
Dr David Evans
Cardiff
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