Pediatric Health Care FAQs
What is pediatric healthcare?
Pediatric healthcare is a specialty medical field that provides specialized care to newborns, children and adolescents. At AGC Pediatrics in Calhoun and Cartersville, Georgia, our board-certified pediatricians provide compassionate, caring children’s healthcare from newborn to age 21.
What is a pediatrician?
Pediatricians are medical doctors who have undergone specialized training in the health and wellness of infants, adolescents, and young adults. At AGC Pediatrics, our pediatricians are board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, and are dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare for your child.
Our pediatricians offer support and advice to parents concerning the growth and development, nutrition, safety, and emotional wellness of their children to promote ongoing healthy lifestyles.
Our pediatricians offer support and advice to parents concerning the growth and development, nutrition, safety, and emotional wellness of their children to promote ongoing healthy lifestyles.
Is it possible to meet the pediatricians at AGC Pediatrics before my child is born?
We encourage new parents-to-be to visit our pediatricians at AGC Pediatrics for a prenatal appointment, which allows you to become acquainted with our office, staff, and pediatricians.
During your prenatal appointment, our pediatricians will answer any questions you may have about pediatric healthcare for your newborn and our faith-based practice.
During your prenatal appointment, our pediatricians will answer any questions you may have about pediatric healthcare for your newborn and our faith-based practice.
After my child is born, how often should we visit one of your offices in Calhoun or Cartersville, GA?
Our pediatricians at AGC Pediatrics recommend scheduling well-child visits to ensure the overall health and development of your child in addition to visiting our office when your child is sick.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents follow this schedule for well-child visits:
• 3 to 5 days
• 1 month
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months
• 12 months
• 15 months
• 18 months
• 24 months
• 30 months
• 3 years
• 4 years
Beyond four years of age, it is important to schedule an annual behavioral and developmental assessment.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents follow this schedule for well-child visits:
• 3 to 5 days
• 1 month
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months
• 12 months
• 15 months
• 18 months
• 24 months
• 30 months
• 3 years
• 4 years
Beyond four years of age, it is important to schedule an annual behavioral and developmental assessment.
What are immunizations and why are they important for my child?
Vaccinations help children build immunity to many common diseases, such as tetanus, polio, measles, and mumps.
Vaccinations inject weakened forms of disease germs into your child’s body and allow their immune system to produce antibodies that would fight the true form of the disease. The antibodies “remember” the antigen, and fight infection to ensure your child’s health and well-being.
Vaccinations inject weakened forms of disease germs into your child’s body and allow their immune system to produce antibodies that would fight the true form of the disease. The antibodies “remember” the antigen, and fight infection to ensure your child’s health and well-being.
How should I accurately dose over-the-counter medications?
Our board-certified pediatricians at AGC Pediatrics instruct parents to determine dosages by their child’s weight and not by their age. Please schedule an appointment to review and discuss correct dosages of over-the-counter medication with your child’s pediatrician.
Children under 6 months of age should not be given Ibuprofen, Advil or Motrin without first consulting your pediatrician. Acetaminophen/Tylenol should not be given to children under 2 months of age, and you should check with your child’s pediatrician to ensure the correct dosage per concentration.
Children under 6 months of age should not be given Ibuprofen, Advil or Motrin without first consulting your pediatrician. Acetaminophen/Tylenol should not be given to children under 2 months of age, and you should check with your child’s pediatrician to ensure the correct dosage per concentration.
When will antibiotics be prescribed for my child's illness?
Antibiotics are only prescribed for children with bacterial infections. While some viral infections may develop into bacterial infections – such as sinus or ear infections – children who suffer from illnesses such as the common cold will not be prescribed antibiotics.
Antibiotics present serious risks and carry potentially serious side effects, including:
Antibiotics present serious risks and carry potentially serious side effects, including:
- Severe diarrhea
- Allergic reactiom
- Developing bacterial-resistance due to inappropriate or overuse
How can I help prevent infection?
There are several measures you can take as a parent to avoid your child getting sick. Remember, all of us carry germs. Remember to wash your and your child's hands frequently, especially before, during, and after your visit with us at AGC. Hand sanitizer dispensers are located in each room a patient enters at AGC.
When else should I clean my child's hands?
Other than before and after you enter your exam room here, here are some other times where washing up will make a difference: before and after eating, touching food, or feeding your child; after using the bathroom or changing a diaper; after wiping a runny nose, whether yours or your child's.
What should I do if I have a question concerning my child's health?
As always, you are welcome to exercise your right to information concerning your child's health -- please do not hesitate to speak with any of our employees. Remember that it is ok to ask for an explanation or second opinion from your nurse or doctor. From home you may call us on our main line and our operators will direct you to someone who can answer your questions. After hours, you may leave a message on our Triage line. A nurse will respond to the message within 30 minutes.
What should I know about my child's medicines?
Ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your child’s medicine or its dosage. Also, ask your child’s doctor, nurse or pharmacist to write down things that you need to know for each medicine your child takes. Each time that you give a medicine to your child, it is recommended that you read the label three times to avoid mistakes. For questions about preventive medicines and over-the-counter medicines, you may ask us in person or call to speak with a nurse.
Please note, the information on this site is educational in nature, and is not intended to be diagnostic or to be a substitute for a careful examination and assessment by your child's physician. If you are worried about your child, have your child checked by your child's physician.
