Should you go to the emergency room when your child falls and bumps his or her head? Is the cough that you have had for three days serious? These are questions that all of us have. And frequently they arise in the evening or during the weekend when your doctor is less available.

HouseCalls Online is designed especially for these times. Its topics help you make decisions regarding the level of medical care that is needed as well as symptom relief for minor conditions.

Select any of the 61 adult topics or 80 pediatric topics from the anatomic index by clicking an area of the body – including abdomen, mouth, chest, arm and nose. A decision chart – When to Call Your Doctor – is provided for each topic. By using the decision chart and your common sense, you should be able to select one of the five following treatment options:

• Call 911 Now – You may need an ambulance
• Call Your Doctor Now – Night or day
• Call your Doctor Within 24 hours – Between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Call your doctor during weekday office hours
• Self-care at home

If you think that you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or the number for the local emergency ambulance service immediately.

When in doubt, call your doctor, the Mercy Nurse or go to the closest emergency department.

Disclaimer: The information contained in these topics is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment. Talk with your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Nothing contained in these topics is intended to be for medical diagnosis or treatment.