Zubin woke up at 4.00am a few days ago with a fever and cough. The cough (which we later found out is referred to as the medieval-sounding “croup”) was kind of a bell like ringing, very unusual and scary sounding. Later that morning we called the pediatrician’s office and had them page the doctor. She called us back soon afterwards and the conversation was as follows:

NYCD: Doctor, thanks for calling us. Zubin’s woke up with a fever and cough. Sounds kind of like a barking or ringing cough.

Doc: Is he eating and drinking? Is he playful? Does he have any other noticeable problems?

NYCD: He seems alright with food and his temperament is pretty good, playful as usual.

Doc: Ok…Well he has a cold.

NYCD: Should we give him anything?

Doc: You can give him some Tylenol for the fever, but no emergency room no matter how high the fever goes there is no emergency.

NYCD: Umm…Anything for the cough?

Doc: No, it should go away on its own. He has a cold. And the fever will not cause any brain damage.

NYCD: What?

Doc: Yeah don’t call us until Monday and if he still has a fever bring him in then.

NYCD: And is there anything to take for condescending pediatricians?

Doc: What?

NYCD: Thanks.

Look, I know it sucks to get called on a Friday for what must be another boring case of blah, blah, blah. You chose your career laden with runny noses, “croup” and frantic parents. Suck it up and at least try to sound interested.
NB: The doctors in the practice are by and large the best we have seen. This one of three that happened to be on call that day, well…she sucks. Thankfully the other two are so good that on balance the practice is great.