Pediatric Infectious Disease
Treatment for Infections in East Tennessee
Pediatric infectious diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, funguses,
parasites or other infections in your child’s body. They can occur
in children who have complex medical conditions or those who were previously healthy.
The most common conditions infectious disease specialists treat include:
- Fungal infections
- Skin infections, like MRSA
- Lyme disease
- Persistent fever
- Infections around surgery scars or near prosthetics
With modern technology, many infectious diseases in children can be prevented
with a vaccination or treated with antibiotics. Some of these conditions
are harder to treat because some children have weaker immune systems.
We carefully evaluate a patient’s condition to find a treatment
that will completely eradicate the infection as quickly as possible.
Many infectious diseases are spread through germs that children pick up
every day. The best way to prevent infectious diseases is by hand-washing
frequently during the day. Teach your child to wash their hands after
using the bathroom, blowing his nose, sneezing or coughing. Your child
should also resist touching their eyes, mouth or nose.
The most common places germs live are:
- Television remotes
- Light switches
- Computer keyboards
- Toilet handles
Children can easily pick up viruses and bacteria that can cause infectious
diseases from these surfaces. Germs can also be spread through coughing,
sneezing or sharing drinks.
Your child should be up-to-date on their immunizations. Children usually
bring the flu into their households and should receive an influenza vaccination
once a year. By vaccinating your children, you will protect the rest of
your family from the flu.
Pediatric infectious disease specialists can give your family information
about preparing for travel overseas. Some countries have different diseases
than we do, so your child may not have the right vaccinations to protect
him. These doctors can protect your child against diseases like typhoid,
rabies, hepatitis and meningococcal disease.
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital infectious disease specialists are
Dr. Daniel L. New and
Dr. Lori Ellen Rhodes Patterson. To learn more, call (865) 541-8709.