Why do people seek medical advice for their kids from us bozos on Yahoo Answers?

Question

Okay, I understand some people have no medical insurance, but even then you're better off doing a search on a respectable site like webmd than asking random people on the internet with no qualifications or accountability whatsoever. I can't help wondering how many kids have suffered some horrible consequence from a parent's following the advice of a well-meaning random person who doesn't know what they're talking about? Shouldn't we all refuse to answer any medical question with anything beyond "ask the pediatrician?" Does anybody else stress out about this???

Gosh, popular opinion is definitely against me on this one. I totally agree with the comment about teenagers asking questions that they're too embarrassed to ask about elsewhere -- that's different. But if another mom asks me what medication to give her kid, and I tell her some otc thing that worked for my child, and her kid is has some other health issue that I don't know about that that makes worse, or is taking some medicine that conficts with that, I've just caused a major problem. I have no problem with new parents asking if poop is supposed to be green. I have a problem with people recommending medicines -- whether over the counter or not.

I also can't help mentioning that while I'm in fact a parent, you have no evidence whatsoever I'm not a 10-year-old, or suffering from severe mental illness, or an axe-murderer. We wouldn't let a random stranger off the street take care of our kids. Why would we let them give us medical advice for our kids? Again, I understand the money thing, but find a reputable website!

Answer 1

I hear ya! I think too many moms think they're 'overqualified' at times to give advice on things that go beyond parenting. I mean let's face it, if we could do a doctor's job, none of us would be going to them, right?

Personally, if one of mine gets really sick, I want to know that the person treating them has a medical degree, not just the fact that they've had a baby!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

If people don't know what they are talking about then Obviously they shouldn't give advice beyond see a Doctor!
But most questions on here are from young Mums who are feeling insecure and wonder how others have coped with a teething problem or a babies upset tummy. Perhaps they are isolated and unable to speak to someone they know directly!
The people who do answer are usually older Mum's who have experience of some illness and those like myself (I'm a mum & a care-worker for disabled children and adults) who through their work have been taught to recognise most childhood illnesses.
IF a problem sounds more than a common child-hood illness and If I'm answering someone in the UK I'd tell them to phone the NHS help-line before giving any OTC medication rather than wait till they can get an appointment with their GP. (Always recommended) I'd tell someone from another Country to only buy medication at a Pharmacy and to get advice from the pharmacist as well. I also stress the impotance of reading any literature that comes with the medication and following the dosage.
It's then up to the person asking to decide what advice they think is right for them.

Answer 4

I see your point.

If someone asked; "My son's head has been bleeding for three days now. What should I do?" I would tell her to go to the ER.

If someone asks; "My daughter has been very gassy. What worked for your child?" I would tell her about Similac Gentlease but recommend she talk to her doctor at the last visit.

There have been many times I've called my mom about problems I could talk to my doctor about but sometimes I can't wait until that next appointment. It takes two weeks up to a month to get another appointment at my doctors office and the ER seems too extreme. Unless it's an ongoing problem I'll just ask my mom or like you said--look on WebMD.

Answer 5

No, I have important things to stress about than the way other people get advice. Some new parents don't know if something is "normal" or not and are embarrassed to find out that they are freaking out about something that's normal. Its okay to ask questions. Isn't that why we're all here. We're exchanging information. I don't tell anyone anything that is outside my realm of experience. If you feel uncomfortable answering a question, don't answer it. Its that simple.

Answer 6

Sometimes all they want is some advice on how to cope with the symptoms "Tommy has a fever and a runny nose how can i make him feel better while his medicine starts to work..." questions like that are valid..its when people expect you to diagnose some disease that i chuckle and move on to a new questions or tell them to see a doctor..

Answer 7

Excuse me, but I'm not a Bozo!!! I respond to many health questions where little ones are concerned but I always tell them to see their doctor to find out what's wrong. When children are ill, parents panic sometimes & need to be calmed down by parents who have experienced the same thing with their children. Can't blame them for that. We're all human.

Answer 8

We aren't doctors, we are moms. We are allowed to give people advice based on our experiences... even offline, moms have a network of friends who all have children, and we call each other when one of our kids gets some strange symptom. I don't think anyone's doctor appreciates 10 calls a week because our baby sneezed.

Answer 9

Its easy, I have some really good insurace, Blue cross blue shield right..... Its still cost me 50 bucks to go to the doctor... thin another 20+ for medican and you know you gotta come back in 2 weeks just so the doc can say your better. So at lest cost you 120 dollors (-your 100+ mouth to mouth prem) just to go to the doc.

I got insurace and am still to poor to go to the doc.

Answer 10

I dont stress. Ive had physicians be wrong on both my sons and myself, so dont mind going on site where someone may suggest something.


For ER posts (not mine), im more concerned, but in everyone of those, theres usually saying - GO TO THE ER NOW.