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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
You don't need to send comprehensive viral tests in the majority of children with cough and congestion. Just make a clinical diagnosis dang it!
Acute gastroenteritis affects millions of children in the U.S. every year, leading to emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), have been commonly used as a treatment, but evidence supporting their effectiveness has been limited. A new study conducted by the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) aimed to determine whether LGG could reduce the severity of gastroenteritis in children. The trial found that LGG did not significantly improve outcomes compared to placebo.
Pinworms! Ahhhhh! They itch at night and they're scary. Fortunately they are easy to treat and eradicate. They're still gross.
Dog bites are unfortunately common in the Emergency Department. Remembering which ones to suture for cosmetic concerns while assuring we reduce the risk of infections is important. Also, most should get antibiotics. Which one? Dogmentin! (It's a portmanteau of Dog and Augmentin)...