Conditions that call for expert clinical care

At Children’s Minnesota, we’re the state’s leading experts in the prevention of perinatal HIV transmission (from mother to child). That’s far from all that we specialize in, though. Here are some of the conditions we treat:

Bacterial infections

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)—A bacteria resistant to many antibiotics that can cause infections in the skin, bloodstream and surgical sites
• Clostridium difficile (C. diff)—A bacterium in the digestive tract that can grow too much, causing diarrhea and inflammation of the colon; it usually affects people taking antibiotics
• Atypical mycobacteria—Bacteria that can cause infections in the bones, lungs, lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tract, skin and soft tissues

Viral infections

• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)—A common infection that often has no symptoms, but babies and people with compromised immune systems can suffer serious symptoms, including blindness, pneumonia and seizures
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—A condition that slowly destroys the immune system; it can lead to developing AIDS
• Recurrent herpes simplex infections (HSV)—Infections that can affect the skin and mucous membranes (such as the mouth and genitals)

Insect-borne infections

• Lyme disease — An illness transmitted by ticks; symptoms can include fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash
• Anaplasmosis — A disease transmitted by ticks; symptoms can include fever, headache, chills and muscle aches
• Babesiosis — An infection of the red blood cells transmitted by ticks; symptoms can include fever, fatigue and hemolytic anemia (a bleeding disorder in which the body is unable to replace destroyed red blood cells fast enough)

Travel-related illnesses

• Typhoid fever—A life-threatening illness, most often acquired internationally, passed through food and drink contaminated with Salmonella typhi bacteria; a high fever usually results
• Tuberculosis—A disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis; the bacteria can attack any part of the body, often the lungs
• Malaria—A disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can cause high fever, chills and flu-like illness; left untreated, it can lead to serious complications
• Intestinal parasites—Usually transmitted through soil, food or water contaminated by feces; can cause stomach pain, nausea, weight loss and other symptoms

Recurrent fever syndromes

• PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous ulcers, pharyngitis, adenopathy)—A disease that can last several years and involves recurrent bouts of fever with mouth sores, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes

Treatment and prevention

Some of our services include:

• Children’s Immunization Project—A community outreach collaborative program to promote age-appropriate immunizations; includes provider and parent education, public awareness campaigns, public policy and computerized immunization registries
• Pre- and post-travel medical consultation—Helps anticipate and prevent travel-related illness through special vaccinations, preventive antibiotics, and information on how to avoid mosquito-borne diseases and other hazards of travel
• Clinical support and education for community health care providers—Advising for those in the health care community with infectious disease questions
• Infection prevention program—Works to prevent hospital-acquired infections through best practices and guidelines
• Antimicrobial stewardship—Promotes appropriate and judicious use of antibiotics within the hospital
• Pediatric expertise in tuberculosis—We work with the Ramsey County Tuberculosis Clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in children
• Minnesota Perinatal and Pediatric HIV Program—Services include nursing care coordination for HIV-infected pregnant women and their partners and families; family medical case management for HIV-positive women, children and adolescents; peer navigation and support; HIV prevention services for HIV-infected men and women planning pregnancy; and mental health support

And as an organization dedicated to family-centered care, we offer many child and family services and resources, such as interpretive services.