How long should you wait before taking your temperature after drinking water?

By Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Page last updated: 08/09/2023 | Next review date: 08/09/2025
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Author bio

Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.

Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights: 

  • Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
  • PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
  • Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
  • Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina

 

Professional Experience:

 

From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.

 

Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.

 

In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.

 

Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.

 

Education:

 

  • 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
  • 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
  • 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil

 

The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:

 

Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347. 

 

Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.  

 

Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315. 

 

Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245. 

 

Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res.  2021; 35(22):4494-4501. 

 

Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976. 

 

Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020;  31(7):709-717.

 

Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688. 

 

Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019;  30(8):p 828-837. 

 

Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343. 

 

Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051. 

 

Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922. 

 

Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382. 

 

Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57. 

 

You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below. 

 

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes

 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/

 


Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
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How long should you wait before taking your temperature after drinking water?

You should wait at least 15-30 minutes before you take your temperature after drinking water. The temperature changes which occur due to fluid intake can easily interfere with oral temperature readings. Waiting for a while can regulate the temperature inside your mouth and help you take an accurate reading.

A study published in 2018 discussed the temperature changes which happen as a result of hot or cold beverage consumption. The study tells us that drinking a hot beverage can elevate our oral temperature by 0.6 to 0.9°C, for up to 15 to 25 minutes. 

Similarly, a colder beverage can decrease the oral temperature by 0.2 to 1.2°C, which lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. (1) The study helps us derive an optimal time frame of 15 to 30 minutes which can help alleviate any temperature changes which happened due to liquid consumption. 

What other factors can affect the temperature readings?

While waiting 15 to 30 minutes after drinking water is considered necessary, certain other factors can also affect the temperature readings. These include:

  • Physical activity – it changes your body temperature because high energy expenditure boosts your metabolism to produce more energy.
  • Environment – exposure to a hot or cold environment can affect body temperature. However, your body tries to bring it back to normal, which is why you sweat on a hot day or shiver when it’s too cold. 
  • Age – it can affect body temperature to some extent.
  • Medications – certain medications can affect your body temperature, like fever-reducing drugs which can help bring your body temperature down. 

All these factors should be kept in mind while taking a person’s temperature as these factors can affect your body temperature and may give a false reading.

How to take accurate temperature readings?

While taking body temperature, the following tips can prove to be very helpful:

  • Wait 15 to 30 minutes after drinking water (cold or hot) before taking the temperature.
  • Take temperature at a particular time of the day each day (follow a pattern)
  • Using a reliable device is of utmost importance, a flimsy thermometer could cause a false temperature reading.
  • Follow the thermometer usage instructions as indicated.
  • Use a clean and disinfected thermometer for each reading.
  • The thermometer should be placed under the patient’s tongue, making sure their mouth is closed during the reading.

If you are taking the temperature of a child or an adult who can’t place a thermometer under their tongue, there are a few options for such individuals. These include:

  • Temporal Thermometers – these are forehead thermometers which use infrared technology to measure the temperature. Just place the thermometer on your forehead and it will give you a reading.
  • Tympanic Thermometers – these are gently inserted into the ears and measure temperature in the ear canal. Make sure you read the instructions for proper usage.
  • Axillary Thermometers – these thermometers are placed under the armpit to measure the body temperature. This is one of the most commonly used thermometers in children besides rectal thermometers, which are used in babies under 1 year of age. 

When to consult your doctor?

If you are experiencing a fever and other associated symptoms like fatigue and chills, it is important to take your temperature and seek medical attention. If your body temperature exceeds 37° on the Celcius scale or 98.6° on the Fahrenheit scale, this means you’re having a fever. 

A fever may not always be an alarming sign and may sometimes be a sign of mild illness. However, seeking medical attention is important if your fever persists for more than 2 days. If you have any other drug-related queries, feel free to reach out to us.

Conclusion

To sum up, you should not take your body right after drinking water, as it can interfere with the accuracy of your thermometer. By waiting at least 15 to 30 minutes after drinking water (or any other liquid), you can minimise the risk of getting a false reading.  

Proper usage of a thermometer is important to track changes in your body temperature. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your health or temperature readings.

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References

1.-

Price MJ, Trbovich M. Thermoregulation: From Basic Neuroscience to Clinical Neurology, Part II. Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 2018; Chapter 10: 169-185. Available From: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780444640741000501

2.-

Sugarek NJ. Temperature lowering iced water. Enhance effects in the elderly. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1986 Jul;34(7);526-9. doi 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1986.tb04245.x. PMID: 3722670 Available From: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3722670/