FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions for Inteanal Medicine


Defining the Specialty

  • What is the difference between Internal Medicine and Family Medicine? While both provide primary care, internists focus exclusively on adults (18+) and receive deep training in hospital-based medicine and complex organ systems. Family practitioners treat patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors, and often include paediatrics and basic office-based gynaecology in their practice.
  • What does "the doctor's doctor" mean? Because internists are experts at "connecting the dots" between different symptoms and systems (like how a kidney issue might affect the heart), other specialists often refer their most complex cases to them for a primary diagnosis.


When to See an Internist

  • Should I see an internist for a simple cold? Yes. Internists provide routine primary care, including treatment for acute illnesses like the flu, sinus infections, or minor injuries.
  • Can an internist manage my mental health? Absolutely. Internists frequently screen for and treat common mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, often through a combination of medication management and lifestyle counseling.
  • How often should I have a checkups? Healthy adults should typically have a physical every 1–2 years. However, if you have a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor may want to see you every 3–6 months.

Chronic Disease & Prevention

What chronic conditions do they treat? Internists are specifically trained to manage:
  • Hypertension (High blood pressure)
  • Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
  • Cardiovascular Disease (Heart health)
  • COPD and Asthma
  • Hypothyroidism
  Which screenings do I actually need? This depends on your age and risk factors, but standard screenings include:
  • Blood Panels: Checking cholesterol (lipids) and blood sugar (A1c).
  • Cancer Screenings: Referrals for colonoscopies, mammograms, or prostate exams.
  • Immunizations: Annual flu shots, Tdap boosters, and Shingles or Pneumonia vaccines for older adults.
 

Preparing for Your Appointment

To get the most out of your visit, consider these "smart questions" to ask your doctor:
  • Based on my family history, what specific risks should we monitor?
  • Are there any side effects to this new medication I should watch for?
  • What is one lifestyle change (diet/exercise) that would have the biggest impact on my current labs?
  • Can you explain these test results in simpler terms?
 

Subspecialties of Internal Medicine

If a condition becomes too specialized for general practice, an internist may have additional training (a fellowship) in one of these areas:
  • Cardiology (Heart)
  • Endocrinology (Hormones/Diabetes)
  • Gastroenterology (Digestive system)
  • Nephrology (Kidneys)
  • Rheumatology (Joints and Autoimmune)
 

The Role of a Specialist

  • Why was I referred to a specialist? Most fevers are caused by common viruses (like the flu) and resolve on their own. You are likely seeing a specialist because your fever has lasted longer than 5–7 days, keeps coming back, or isn't responding to standard antibiotics.
  • What is a "Fever of Unknown Origin" (FUO)? Doctors use this term for a fever higher than $101^\circ\text{F}$ ($38.3^\circ\text{C}$) that lasts for more than three weeks (or one week of intensive hospital investigation) without a clear cause.
  • What can you find that my regular doctor couldn't? ID specialists look beyond common infections. they investigate rare bacteria, tropical parasites (if you've travelled), fungal infections, and even non-infectious causes like autoimmune disorders or certain cancers (like lymphoma).
  • Nephrology (Kidneys)
  • Rheumatology (Joints and Autoimmune)
 

Diagnosing the Cause

Does a fever always mean I have an infection? Not necessarily. While infection is the most common cause, fever can also be a sign of:
  • Autoimmune diseases (like Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis).
  • Drug reactions (certain medications can cause "drug fever").
  • Inflammatory conditions.
What kind of "detective work" will you do? Expect a very deep dive into your history. They will ask about:
  • Travel: Even trips from years ago.
  • Pets/Animals: Exposure to farm animals, reptiles, or even ticks.
  • Hobbies: Gardening, hiking, or swimming in fresh water.
  • Family History: To rule out genetic "periodic fever" syndromes.

Treatment & Management

  • Will you give me antibiotics? Only if a bacterial infection is confirmed. ID specialists are experts in antibiotic stewardship—they avoid using them for viruses to prevent "superbugs" and side effects.
  • Should I stop taking fever reducers before my appointment? It depends. Some specialists prefer you do not take Tylenol or Advil for 6–8 hours before your visit so they can see your "natural" temperature pattern. Always ask the office when you book.
  • Why is my fever worse at night? Body temperature naturally peaks in the late afternoon and evening. When you have an illness, this natural rise is magnified, often leading to "night sweats" and chills.

Red Flags: When to Seek Emergency Care

Even if you are under a specialist's care, go to the ER if a fever is accompanied by:
  • A stiff neck and a severe headache (sign of meningitis).
  • Confusion or altered mental state.
  • A new skin rash that doesn't fade when pressed.
  • Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
Feature Primary Care / GP Fever Specialist (ID)
Duration 1–5 days 7+ days or recurring
Complexity Common cold, flu, UTI Rare, travel-related, or hidden
Focus Symptom relief Finding the "hidden" source
Testing Standard blood/urine tests Biopsies, rare cultures, advanced imaging
 

Frequently Asked Questions for Paediatrics


Newborns & Infants (0–12 Months)

New parents often have the most questions as they navigate "firsts."
  • How often should I feed my baby? Newborns usually eat every 2–3 hours (8–12 times in 24 hours). If breastfeeding, it’s best to feed "on demand" whenever your baby shows hunger cues like lip-smacking or rooting.
  • Is my baby gaining enough weight? Most newborns lose a small amount of weight in the first few days but should return to their birth weight by 2 weeks. Steady weight gain and 6–8 wet diapers a day are good signs.
  • What is "Safe Sleep"? Babies should always sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface (like a crib or bassinet) with no blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals to reduce the risk of SIDS.
  • When will my baby sleep through the night? Most babies begin sleeping longer stretches (6–8 hours) around 3–6 months, or once they reach about 12–13 pounds.

Growth & Development

Paediatricians use "milestones" to track progress.
  • Is my child hitting their milestones? Milestones include physical skills (rolling, walking), social skills (smiling, playing), and communication (babbling, first words). Remember, "normal" is a wide range; some babies walk at 9 months, others at 15 months.
  • How do I read a growth chart? Growth charts compare your child to others of the same age/sex. What matters most is a consistent curve over time, rather than a specific percentile.

Immunizations & Health

  • Why does my child need so many vaccines? Vaccines protect against serious, sometimes fatal diseases (like Polio, Whooping Cough, and Measles). Starting them early protects infants when their immune systems are most vulnerable.
  • What is the standard vaccine schedule? Major milestones for shots occur at birth, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 18 months, followed by boosters at ages 4–6 and 11–12.
  • Is a fever dangerous? In children, a fever is generally defined as 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. For older children, a fever is often the body's way of fighting infection and isn't "dangerous" on its own. However, any fever in a newborn under 3 months is a medical emergency.
 

When to Call the Doctor

You should contact your paediatrician if your child experience:
  • High Fever: Especially if it lasts more than 3 days or is accompanied by a rash.
  • Dehydration: Fewer wet diapers, no tears when crying, or a dry mouth.
  • Respiratory Distress: Fast breathing, wheezing, or "retracting" (skin pulling in around the ribs).
  • Behavioral Changes: Unusual lethargy, extreme irritability, or inability to be consoled.

Nutrition & Lifestyle

  • When can my baby start solid foods? Most paediatricians recommend starting around 6 months, when the baby can sit up with support and shows interest in food.
  • How much screen time is okay? The AAP recommends no screen time (except video chatting) for children under 18–24 months, and limiting it to 1 hour of high-quality programming for ages 2–5.
  • When should my child first see a dentist? By their 1st birthday or within 6 months of their first tooth appearing.
Symptom Cold Flu
Fever Rare Characteristically high
Headache Rare Common
Aches/Pains Mild Usual; often severe
Exhaustion Mild Usual; can last 2–3 weeks
Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes

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