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…
This week's guest columnist is Dr. John Giuffreda, a Family Practice resident at the University Hospital and Clinics here in Lafayette. His column reminds me of when I was playing catch with my son. When he went looking for a…
My three teens may not believe it, but I also once was a teen. And one night I was bombing down a snowy road in our old iron Jeep Cherokee, the radio blasting my rock station, not a care in the world. Then I topped a hill and…
This week's guest columnist is Dr. Danielle Duhon, a family practice resident at the University Hospital and Clinics here in Lafayette. First the child complains of chest pain. She might even say it in scarier terms: "My heart…
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…
This week's guest columnist is Dr. Michelle Taylor, a family practice resident at University Health Center here in Lafayette. 2 year-old Lily was playing around the pool. You go to move her from the edge and grab her hand. She…
One of my favorite movies is a 1991 comedy called Defending Your Life, starring Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep. The premise is when someone dies, before going to heaven he must defend his life in a trial with lawyers and judge.…
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. …
