Frequently asked questions

A paediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of children. Paediatricians have undergone special training in the health and illnesses of infants, teens and young adults, and the majority of paediatricians are certified by the American Board of Paediatrics after passing a comprehensive exam. Paediatricians provide preventive health care for children in good health and medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill. They also provide parents with support and advice with issues such as growth and development, safety and prevention, nutrition, and emotional wellness to foster a lifetime of good health.

Your child should not only see the paediatrician for an illness. It is also important to schedule well-child-care exams regularly, beginning in infancy. Also called well-care visits or checkups, these routine examinations provide the best opportunity for the doctor to observe the progress of your child's physical and mental growth and development; to counsel and teach parents; to detect problems through screening tests; to provide immunizations, and to get to know one another. Well-care visits are strongly recommended as part of preventive paediatric care.

Well-child visits are also a good time for parents to raise questions and concerns about a child's development, behavior, nutrition, safety and overall well-being.

Peninsula Paediatric Medical Group recommends this schedule for routine well-care visits:
3 to 5 days
1 month
2 months
4 months
6 months
9 months
12 months
15 months
18 months
2 years
2 1/2 years
3 years
4 years
5 years

And every year thereafter for an annual health supervision visit that includes a physical exam as well as a developmental, behavioral, and learning assessment.

Yes, in fact we strongly encourage parents-to-be to visit our office for a prenatal appointment. This is a great way to get acquainted with our office and our doctors. During this visit, we will answer any questions that you have about our practice or your new child. Visit our expectant parent's page for more information.

Immunizations are a series of shots given to children at different ages to help ward off serious, and potentially fatal,

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.

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:

Severe diarrhea
Allergic reactiom
Developing bacterial-resistance due to inappropriate or overuse

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.

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.

hooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a bacterial infection that gets into your nose and throat. It spreads very easily, but vaccines like DTaP and Tdap can help prevent it in children and adults.

Yes, we always welcome new patients. Contact our office for additional information or request an appointment.