Category Archives: Infectious Disease

Viral Hepatitis

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Transmission: Fecal-oral Presentation: Febrile illness, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal distension, rarely causes fulminant liver disease Diagnosis: Hepatitis A Virus IgM Management: Conservative management Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Transmission: Blood, sex, vertical (mother-to-baby) Presentation Acute: Similarly to Hepatitis A: Febrile illness, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain. Rarely, jaundice and fulminant liver disease. Chronic:Continue reading “Viral Hepatitis”

Lumbar Puncture Interpretation

Meningitis Routine Laboratory Results Specific Markers PCR May vary from center to center, but generally will detect E. coli, H. influenzae, N. meningitidis, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, CMV, Enterovirus, HSV 1/2, HHV-6, Human parechovirus, VZV, and Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii ADA (Adenosine Deaminase) Sensitivity and specificity for tuberculous meningitis varies depending cutoff level, however, approachesContinue reading “Lumbar Puncture Interpretation”

Tick-Borne Disease

Suspect tick-borne disease when a patient presents with a flu-like illness +/- a rash in a geographical location consistent with known tick-borne disease. Classically, patients will also present with transaminitis and thrombocytopenia. Diagnosis can be confirmed with serology, but often, the diagnosis can be made clinically and empiric treatment may need to be initiated beforeContinue reading “Tick-Borne Disease”