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…
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. …
This week's column is from Dr. Susila Shanmuganathan, a family practice resident at the University Hospital and Clinics here in Lafayette. Another runny nose? Don't they know this is an Emergency Department, and cold viruses…
This week's guest columnist is Dr. Devan Szczepanski, a family practice resident at the University Hospital and Clinics here in Lafayette. Mrs. Breaux gets a phone call at work from Sue's daycare. Sue needs to be picked up…
I walk into the room, introduce myself, and ask my usual lead-in question: "When did things first start going wrong?" The mom answers "She started with this rash last night, and this morning it has spread all over. Just look at…
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…
In the past weeks the news has reported on stomach virus epidemics in several states. More than the usual amount of kids and adults have had vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Though Louisiana wasn't listed, we in the pediatrics…
