Some parents are disappointed with the diagnosis "virus" and not getting antibiotics. The only two times in my career a parent has outright yelled in my face were when I didn't prescribe antibiotics. Today's guest columnist, Dr.…
This 16 year-old boy was slipping away. He had come to the Emergency Department sleepy and feverish. Mom noticed that he was covered with red freckles, and new freckles were coming out while we spoke. As the nurses and I worked…
It was 5 o'clock, July 2, 1991. I know the date and time because it was the end of my first 36 hour shift as Chief Resident. And it was a true 36 hour shift, not a wink of sleep, with sick kids piling into the hospital like we…
This week's guest columnist is Dr. Jesse Livingston, a family practice resident at the University Health Center here in Lafayette. Rashes are a common reason parents bring their children to the doctor. Sometimes the parents get so…
My daughter is in London, England, taking a summer college course. She woke up last Sunday with "the whole left side" of her head hurting, particularly her ear. She took two ibuprofens and then she and a friend went out in the…
I will always remember my childhood dentist, Dr. Tarentino. I will especially remember his eyes, boring down into my mouth as intensely as his drill. Though my parents were smart people with advanced degrees in Theology, they…
This week's guest columnist is Dr. Eric Guilbeau, a family practice resident at the University Hospital and Clinics here in Lafayette. Emma comes home from school and tells her mom that her belly hurts and she doesn't feel good. …
A lot of my columns are about how to keep your child out of the Pediatric Emergency Department. Possible fractures, though, are one time where coming in is the best move. More on this from our two guest columnists, Dr. Nicole…
This week's guest columnist is Dr. Yamuna Jaladanki, a Family Practice resident at the University Hospital and Clinics here in Lafayette. The other day in the ER I saw two kids from the same family, one 11 months old and the…
All doctors get dogged by patients and parents for missing diagnoses. I see it when a parent brings their child into the Emergency Department. The kid has had a cold and fever for a few days, and their regular doctor called it "…
Today's guest columnist is Dr. Jamie Collins, a Family Practice resident at the University Health Center here in Lafayette. It was the start of a great day for Kevin. It was Saturday and no school and no homework. However, Kevin…
This week's guest columnist is Dr. Matthew Whittington, a third year resident in the Family Practice program at the University Health Center here in Lafayette. We see a lot of burns in the Pediatric Emergency Department, mostly…
