Infectious Diseases

The Mycoplasma Comeback: Why This Atypical Pneumonia is Back – A PEMCurrents Podcast

By Brad Sobolewski, MD, MEd|2025-03-03T14:44:09-05:00March 4th, 2025|Infectious Diseases, Podcasts|

In this podcast episode we dive into the resurgence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae—an atypical bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia that’s making waves in pediatric emergency medicine. We’ll cover its clinical presentation, epidemiology, diagnostic approach, and management, including why standard beta-lactam antibiotics won’t work. Plus, we’ll discuss whether M. pneumoniae even needs to be treated in the first place!

Medical Music Mondays: MRSA Melody

By Brad Sobolewski, MD, MEd|2025-03-03T12:06:50-05:00March 3rd, 2025|Infectious Diseases, Music, Procedures|

MRSA is the main cause of cutaneous abscesses. You treat them with incision and drainage. remember the lidocaine field block, and break up those locations with a hemostat. Packing isn't necessary for most abscesses.

Medical Music Mondays: Beneath the Surface

By Brad Sobolewski, MD, MEd|2025-02-14T12:53:46-05:00February 17th, 2025|Infectious Diseases, Music|

Cellulitis is like an infection of the icing - if you imagine the skin as a piece of cake that it. Treat with cephalexin - red, hot, swollen, and tender - and sometimes fever and systemic symptoms. I could've wrote a song about erysipelas but it doesn't rhyme with anything.

Medical Music Mondays: Slappin’ Bee Melody

By Brad Sobolewski, MD, MEd|2025-01-22T14:40:56-05:00January 27th, 2025|Infectious Diseases, Music|

Slapped cheek rash? It's Parvovirus B19 causing erythema infectiosum, aka fifth disease. the characteristic rash shows up after the fever, malaise, aches and GI symptoms. Also, remember it can cause fetal anemia, non-immune fetal hydrops and fetal death if a pregnant person is infected. Also bees don't carry it.

Navigating the Quademic: Clinical Differentiation of Influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and Norovirus in Pediatric Emergency Care

By Brad Sobolewski, MD, MEd|2025-01-21T13:04:26-05:00January 21st, 2025|Bronchiolitis, Coronavirus, Infectious Diseases|

The concurrent circulation of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and norovirus during peak viral seasons presents a diagnostic challenge in pediatric emergency settings. Differentiating these pathogens based on clinical presentation is crucial for targeted management, minimizing unnecessary diagnostic tests, and optimizing healthcare resources.

In case you missed it: A podcast on norovirus

By Brad Sobolewski, MD, MEd|2025-01-13T10:45:05-05:00January 14th, 2025|Infectious Diseases, Podcasts|

Here in early 2025 we are seeing a norovirus outbreak. That's a lot of vomiting and diarrhea. I wanted to share my podcast episode on norovirus that is only 7 minutes and 13 seconds long! If you listen at 1.5x speed - I know there are those of you out there - that's only 4 minutes and 49 seconds.

Medical Music Mondays: STI Guy

By Brad Sobolewski, MD, MEd|2024-12-11T12:20:14-05:00January 6th, 2025|Adolescent Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Music|

Sexually transmitted infections are extremely popular. This is a bad thing. We should test for them in patients with and without symptoms and have a treatment plan as well. Also ska is fine. Not great. Fine...

Medical Music Mondays: Whoop! 100 Days

By Brad Sobolewski, MD, MEd|2024-12-07T12:37:11-05:00December 9th, 2024|Infectious Diseases, Music|

Pertussis AKA whooping cough is on the rise due to declining vaccination rates. The initial catarrhal phase has mild symptoms but is super contagious. Then you cough like forever.

Whoop! There It Is: A Pertinent Pediatric Pertussis Podcast

By Brad Sobolewski, MD, MEd|2024-12-03T15:38:27-05:00December 4th, 2024|Infectious Diseases, Podcasts|

This episode of PEM Currents: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Podcast discusses pertussis, or whooping cough, a persistent public health issue despite vaccinations. Key topics include its clinical stages, management strategies, and the importance of infection control and vaccination. It emphasizes the role of healthcare providers in diagnosing, managing, and educating about pertussis to mitigate outbreaks.