For many parents, treating a sick or injured child can be a daunting experience. In some cases, it's difficult to know whether a call or visit to the pediatrician is necessary or not. My Child Is Sick will help parents make the right decision.
This quick reference guide is based on Pediatric Telephone Protocols, the clinical guidelines used by pediatricians and nurses in 10,000 practices and 400 nurse advice call centers in the U.S. and Canada. These guidelines have been tested for 15 years on more than 150 million phone calls.
Inside this practical guide, parents will find:
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Straightforward information on the most common illnesses and injuries of childhood
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Decision charts to help care givers determine when to call the doctor and when it’s safe to treat symptoms at home, as well as descriptions of which symptoms are normal during the course of an illness or recovery from an injury and which are cause for concern.
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Specific timeframe guidelines as to when to call the doctor or 911.
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In-depth advice for treating symptoms at home, taking the guesswork out of how to make little ones feel better.
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Drug dosage charts for the most commonly used non-prescription medicines.
With My Child is Sick at their fingertips, parents will never again have to worry about whether they’ve made the right decision about their child’s illness or injury.
"An immensely helpful medical guide that won’t just sit on the shelf. When a child coughs repeatedly in the middle of the night, parents agonize over whether or not to take him/her to the ER. Schmitt (Pediatrics/Univ. of Colorado; Pediatric Telephone Protocols, 2010, etc.), a board-certified pediatrician for more 40 years and the creator of the first self-triage iPhone app, makes the decision easier with this far-ranging reference volume for the most common childhood illnesses and injuries. Packed with peer-reviewed information used by doctors and nurses in 10,000 practices and 400 medical call centers in the United States and Canada, the book contains plain-spoken advice and bulleted, boldfaced keywords for a quickly navigable process. First, determine a child’s major symptom and flip to “Definition” in the corresponding chapter; if symptoms do not fit, readers are encouraged to plumb the “See More Appropriate Topic” suggestions. Parents will be particularly drawn to the “When To Call Your Doctor” feature, which helps ascertain whether dialing 911 is necessary, or if parents can hold off calling a physician for 24 hours or longer, as well as the “Home Care Advice” section, which provides instructions on how to treat minor ailments with a standard first-aid kit. Above all, Schmitt urges common sense. The author also includes a list of “not to miss” symptoms along with myth-busting facts about fever, understandable drug dosage tables and age-appropriate ideas for pain relief, such as olive oil for ear aches if a child has no holes or tubes in the eardrum. An excellent resource that will help all parents rest a little easier at night."
Kirkus magazine, July 2011
"Though the text is packed with information, parents can pick and choose which chapter applies to their child's particular situation. ...those desiring concise, practical guidance will appreciate the straightforward nature of this no-nonsense resource."
Publishers Weekly, July 2011
Every parent will benefit from having Dr Schmitt’s book handy. His advice is clear, succinct, and easily understandable and he gives parents confidence in their own common sense. Dr Schmitt guides parents like a skilled riverboat pilot who knows all the shoals and dangers of the river but makes navigating seem effortless.
Stephen Berman, MD, FAAP
Director, Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine; and The Children’s Hospital Endowed Chair Holder in General Pediatrics
When it comes to getting trustworthy, expert advice on how best to manage children’s illnesses or injuries, I can think of no one better than Dr Barton Schmitt to turn to. Drawing from his vast knowledge and pediatric wisdom, Dr Schmitt has now made even more readily available the information that every parent wants and needs—from when to call the doctor to when to breathe a sigh of relief. Every parent would be wise to have a copy of My Child Is Sick! close at hand.
Laura Jana, MD, FAAP
Pediatrician, coauthor of Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality, and American Academy of Pediatrics media spokesperson
My Child Is Sick! is a must-have for every parent, new or seasoned. Dr Schmitt’s long-trusted content is written in a format that is easy to understand and answers many questions all parents have. This valuable resource empowers the parent to be an integral part of the health care team.
Suzanne Wells, BSN, RN
Manager, Answer Line, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and 2011–2012 President-Elect for the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing
Dr Schmitt has done it again! His newest book, My Child Is Sick! continues Dr Schmitt’s tradition of creating a logical approach to pediatric care both for parents and clinicians. His various books, including Your Child’s Health, Pediatric Telephone Protocols, and now My Child Is Sick! and his smartphone and Web application Child Symptom Checker, all demonstrate why Barton Schmitt, MD, FAAP, has had more influence on the practical practice of pediatrics than any other pediatrician. His experience enhances the health of millions of children across the globe, comforts countless parents, and makes the practice of pediatrics easier for us all. My Child Is Sick! is a wonderful, simple, focused resource for every family library.
Andrew Hertz, MD, FAAP
Chairperson, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Telehealth Care, and Medical Director, Rainbow Call Center
