Offering fast answers to questions about 50 common ailments and symptoms, this handbook provides clear guidance on when it would be acceptable to treat symptoms at home and when emergency care is required. Drawn from clinical protocols used in 10,000 practices and 400 nurse-advice call centers throughout the United States and Canada over the past 15 years, the guide focuses on ailments typical to children of all ages, from birth through the teenage years. The reference is organized by affected body area such as head, chest, or abdomen, providing parents with the tools to calmly and competently analyze the situation. The concise, bullet point copy helps readers quickly zone in on the appropriate action—ranging from “Call 911 Now” and “Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours” to “Parent Care at Home”—and lays out a detailed framework for those administering home care.