Pediatric Infectious Diseases

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Doctors at Winthrop Pediatric Associates work with illness in young children that can be contracted from other individuals. A pediatric infectious disease doctor is a specialist that is referred when a child’s usual pediatrician or caregiver is not able to effectively diagnose or treat a recurrent condition. In such cases, the child may be referred to a specialist who is trained and experienced in less common diseases so that an appropriate treatment plan can be formulated to resolve the child’s predicament.

At Winthrop Pediatric Associates we have been treating young people suffering from pediatric infectious diseases for many years. Our pediatric infectious disease doctors are very experienced in diagnosing and treating these conditions.  Some of the specific conditions we treat are:

Identifying and Recognizing Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Some of the illnesses that come under the realm of pediatric infectious diseases are respiratory infections, tuberculosis, hepatitis, meningitis and any undiagnosed recurrent illness.

Symptoms of these diseases can often be similar to a common flu as in the case of meningitis where the symptoms are fever, vomiting, headaches, stiff necks and rash. Tuberculosis symptoms are persistent cough, weight loss, weak appetite and night sweats. Hepatitis symptoms include low-grade fever for an extended period as well as a dry cough along with other flu like symptoms.

Factors that lead to Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Each of the illnesses associated with pediatric infectious diseases can be caused by different factors. Bacterial infections are a common cause as in the case of tuberculosis which is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However in most cases the body is able to prevent the onslaught of the disease. It only develops into an active illness when some trauma occurs to the immune system.

Meningitis can occur due to viral or bacterial infections as well as head injury, which allows entry of the bacteria into the meninges. Most of the other disorders associated with pediatric infectious diseases are caused by an infection of some sort, usually bacterial or viral. The challenge is to ascertain which bacteria are causing the trouble.

Treating Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Pediatric Infectious Disease Doctors take the time to properly diagnose the condition that is afflicting their young patients. Since children at times are not able to accurately express what they are feeling or give a straight forward answer to the doctor’s questions, correct diagnoses are a constant challenge.

At Winthrop Pediatric Associates, our team of specialists and doctors use a variety of tools and techniques to ascertain the exact condition, once the condition is identified, a comprehensive treatment plan is formulated that could involve administering medication, hospitalization and other approaches depending on the severity of the condition.

Contact Winthrop Pediatric Associates today to make an appointment.

Winthrop Pediatric Associates proudly serves Nassau & Suffolk counties in Long Island, New York, and the entire NY-Metropolitan area.