Yesterday my 8 m/o dd ran a mild fever, had crusty eyes all day, and was fussy. I suspected pink eye, and it was confirmed at this morning's dr appt. Also an ear infection in the rt ear. I racked my brain for possible places she could have picked it up, and then the pieces started to fall together.

I asked the dr how long after exposure it usually takes for pink eye symptoms to show up, and he said 2-3 days. The only place she's been in the last 2-3 days was to her dr appt, 3 days ago, for a well-baby visit. I live in a small town, and the dr, whom I really like as her ped, doesn't have a modern office. There aren't sinks in the rooms, and I don't see him wash his hands before he sees us. (That doesn't mean that he does not.) I asked the nurse at the desk when I arrived if they'd seen a lot of pink eye lately, and she said TONS, especially in babies. When he looked into her ear, I didn't think there was a cover on his light.

Is my dr making my baby sick?? I really like this dr otherwise, and I don't really want to switch. He's good about listening to my health concerns re: the baby, which means a lot to me. Also, we're new in town, and he was highly recommended by the other people we know w/children. This isn't something I feel like I can bring up to him. I understand that this will happen--kids get pink eye and ear infections, it's just a part of life. But what if it's the flu? Something worse?? What do I do???

The next visit I would ask if he has washed or sanitized his hands since the last patient. Ask if they spray their waiting room down with Lysol or a bleach solution daily because you think your child picked up an infection from the waiting room. Also look and see if he is wearing a tie...they recently discovered that doctors who wear ties are carrying around tons of germs since they are rarely cleaned and dangle.

Unfortunately that's one of the dangers of any doctor's office, but probably more so with pediatrician offices. I know whenever I took my children for well visits and there would be kids sitting around coughing, sneezing, etc. I'd be very nervous. He should wash his hands in between patients, but maybe he cleans the otoscope off with an alcohol swab between patients. I can understand your concern, but I guess if I was happy otherwise with the doctor I wouldn't switch because I think the same thing could happen in any office. Hope your child's better soon!!

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I've been told that pink eye can be contracted without contact with another infected person - generally through the yuk that comes out of the baby's nose - and gets spread through the baby's own movements into the eye area. I honestly have no idea if this is true -- but with my kids in daycare when they were babies -- i can only imagine where they picked up half the stuff they got! :0)

I would also add that if you ARE happy with your doctor's office otherwise - stick wth him. Babies are bound to pick up things in the craziest places.

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Kristie
Piper is here!!!!!
4-10-08 7 lb 2 oz 19.5 inches
Being loved ny big brother and big sister!!

I agree. People go to the doctor when they're sick. When you have a bunch of sick people sitting in a room it's liable to be pretty full of germs. I swear that my kids have gotten sick from being at the doctor's office in the past - but I would be willing to bet it's because of the waiting area and not the actual exam rooms (although I could be wrong).

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Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8/03), Ian (9/05), & Baby Boy #3 (EDD 11-9-2008)

Okay, I know this is an old post, but something else has come up w/this drs office that I need some advice on.

The other day, dd had a fever of 102.3. She wasn't teething. She had had a runny nose for a day or two, and some other cold symptoms, but nothing more until she got the fever. She's 8 m/o, so that's not exactly a low fever. I called and called and called the dr's office, but I kept getting a messages saying that there was no one available to take my call. I understand that they have meetings and other things that keep them off the phone during some business hours, but I called all afternoon and never got anyone. And no one EVER returned my message or calls. Of course I know what to do to treat a fever, initially, but this one sprang up from nowhere, and I wanted to know what to do if I couldn't get it to go down (it did, with a cool bath and Tylenol, which she HATED!!).

My question is, is this typical of a ped office, or am I right to feel that they should have done more in getting back to me and addressing this? Am I going to get ignored at any regular ped office? Now I'm REALLY leaning toward changing drs.

Well I would think they would return your calls within the same day. My pediatrician's office would. I'm not sure if would have seen her for a low grade fever and symptoms of a cold, but they should have at LEAST called you back.

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