Nadezhda, most offices will schedule initial appointment for a physical maybe in 2-3 month, but will see a patient for an acute problem the same day ( this is my and all surrounding offices policy). We leave at least 15 "acute" spots open every day. So, you misunderstood office policy. As far as emergency rooms go, they triage patients according to severity of their condition. Triage nurses are trained to do this. For example, if one comes with symptoms of meningitis , they will definitely not make you wait 5 hours. They have tons of people come through with fevers - it is not an emergency and does not warrant a visit to the ED, unless there are symptoms of something serious - meningitis, dehydration, surgical problem,kidney infection, respiratory distress, seizures, etc.... That nurse who made an initial assessment of your child most likely figured out he simply has a virus or something mild. Plus, big hospitals are busy with tons of patients, that's why we really discourage

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Happy New Year to all! Virtual hugs!