Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist in Scottsdale, and Glendale AZ

The term infectious disease covers a wide range of disorders that are caused by organisms, more commonly known as viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi. Our bodies are naturally home to many of these organisms, either inside of our bodies or on our skin. In most cases and for most of the time, they are harmless and can even be helpful. However, sometimes, and under certain conditions, some of these organisms can cause disease. Infectious diseases can be spread through a wide range of contact points, including person to person and also from insect bites, contact with animals, and the environment.

Illnesses that fall under the term infectious disease includes common illnesses such as the common cold and influenza, to more severe and less common illnesses such as malaria, whooping cough, SARS, and tuberculosis. The list of infectious diseases is quite extensive, with many of them sharing similar symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue, diarrhea, and muscle aches.

Children are prone to spreading germs and infections as their immune systems work to build up immunity against common illnesses that adults are able to fight. Depending on their age, they also may not be vaccinated yet, or fully vaccinated, against some of the common pediatric infections such as chickenpox and rubella.

When it comes to kids, the most common infections that they experience that don’t have vaccinations are:

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can present itself with symptoms like fever, cough, and runny nose, making it similar to the flu or a cold. In babies though, RSV can commonly cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
• Fifth disease causes a red rash on the face, as well as additional red, lacy rashes on other parts of the body.
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a highly contagious disease that causes a fever and sores or blisters to form on the palms, soles of the feet, and inside of the mouth.
• Scarlet fever is easily cured with antibiotics and is caused by the same bacteria that causes strep throat.
• Croup causes a cough that is often compared to the barking sound that a seal makes, and is typically caused by the same viruses as the common cold.

Luckily treatment is available for most pediatric infections through a pediatrician such as the team at KidsHealth Pediatrics.

Your child may be referred to a pediatric infectious disease doctor by your family doctor or their pediatrician if they are experiencing a persistent or recurring infectious disease that is not responding to traditional treatments. In children, the signs and symptoms of an infectious disease can vary from those of an adult, and a pediatric infectious disease doctor will be able to assess the child’s symptoms in order to make a diagnosis.

They are also well-versed in the treatment options available for children and know what the outcomes or prognoses can potentially be for children who have an infectious disease. Children aren’t always able to describe their symptoms or how they are feeling, and Dr. Maria Nabong is able to examine the child for symptoms while making them feel relaxed and more likely to cooperate. If your doctor has referred your child to a pediatric infectious disease specialist, it is to ensure that your child gets the best medical care and treatment possible.

Dr. Maria Nabong treats a wide range of infectious diseases in kids from the newborn stage, through to their teenage years. Depending on the child and their medical history and conditions, Dr. Maria Nabong may treat them beyond the age of 18 to be able to provide the gentle, calming manner that pediatricians are known for. Pediatric infectious disease doctors are able to diagnose and treat all of the same infectious diseases as their counterparts who haven’t specialized in pediatrics, they just focus their practice on the youngest members of society. These infectious diseases can include things like tuberculosis, meningitis, hepatitis, respiratory infections, bone, and joint infections, and other illnesses without a clear cause, are recurrent or have a prolonged fever. The team at KidsHealth Pediatrics in Scottsdale AZ and Glendale AZ take the health of your children seriously and will ensure that they receive the best care possible for all of their medical needs. Please do not hesitate to call us or schedule an appointment. We have clinics located in Glendale and Scottsdale, Arizona, to serve you well! We serve patients from Glendale AZ, Scottsdale AZ, Tempe AZ, Mesa AZ, Paradise Valley AZ, and Phoenix AZ.