As stressed parents who had barely had any sleep the previous two nights; we panicked. We agreed to get the IV at a clinic he recommended. He told us to begin the drugs after that. The clinic turned out to be a very basic place. The doctor there asked some questions and then told me to hold Gautam in my lap so that he could insert that needle. This stupid man poked him twice looking for veins. I saw it with my eyes how he pushed the needle deep inside and then discovered that he needed to find another one. First of all, he was foolish to ask a parent to watch the terrible crying of an already weakened child. Second of all, I felt that he was a incompetent fool. And we would have none of it. I put my foot down when he started lecturing me that there will be a little pain. I always trust my gut instinct when it comes to doctors for my kids. We said that we would give him electrolytes orally and brought him home. We kept giving Gautam electrolytes and today morning took him to our regular doctor.
He prescribed a new medicine for the vomiting and did insist that Gautam did not need any IV fluids as he was able to take them orally (common sense). He also gave us some pretty good course of action to follow in the worst case situation. And, he told us to continue the antibiotics the old doctor had written. The entire day today Gautam has been better and we have been at peace. I realized one more thing today — yesterday’s doc did not even ask me about Gautam’s weight and prescribed dosages. Even as a layperson, I am aware that all doses are by body weight, hence the dose of antibiotics he had prescribed was actually deficient. Second, he added to our panic and tried to fleece us by telling us that IV is needed so that we pay him for something which might not be needed. We did end up paying for the IV even though we did not take it.
I feel so furious. Why do we have such doctors and hospitals who treat medicine as a “dhanda”? What kind of sick people would take advantage of a sick child and panicky parents to make a quick buck? And, is there any other way such people could be checked except by warning others to be careful about such doctors? As a helpless parent, my advice to you — Find a trusted pediatrician and stick with him no matter what.
Rachna says 
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