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Home › Articles › General Health › Should I?

Should I?

When to Call the Doctor

By Jennifer Nelson

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Your baby has a fever, a cough, and is extremely fussy. She's not acting like herself, and you suspect she's ill. But how ill? Is it something minor? Could it be serious? And how will you know the difference? When is it time to call the doctor?

Many parents frequently face this scenario -- especially new ones, who may be uncertain in knowing when to call the pediatrician. Oftentimes a parent may not want to "bother" the doctor for what they think might be a minor illness. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you should always feel free to call your doctor's office, either during office hours or at any time for an emergency. Children's illnesses are rarely black and white. But the advice below can clear up some of the gray areas.

Making the Most of the Phone Call
Phone To help open the lines of communication with your pediatrician, find out about call-in times for non-urgent matters. Some doctors' offices prefer that you call with general questions during regular business hours. Some even have special phone-in times for new parents. Before the call, write down the questions you want addressed. This way, you won't hang-up and realize that you have forgotten something important. Be prepared to answer the questions that the doctor is likely to ask. The AAP says some of those questions include:

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