INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OUTPATIENT SERVICES
Infants, children, and adolescents seen for diagnostic and therapeutic services as follow:

1. Children with suspected or proven infections, particularly those that are recurrent, severe, or caused by unusual germs.
   
2. Children with prolonged or recurrent fever.
   
3. Children with suspected or proven Lyme disease.
   
4. Children with suspected or proven tuberculosis.
   
5. Children with suspected or proven Kawasaki syndrome.
   
6. Children who will be traveling to foreign countries.
   
7. Children recently adopted from foreign countries.
   
8. Children with difficulties with immunizations or a lack of response to immunizations.
   
9. Immunization with Synagis to prevent RSV infection.

Patients are generally seen after referral by their primary pediatrician or family practitioner. The infectious diseases specialist works with the patient, family, and primary physician to develop a management plan. However, selected patients are seen following self-referral.

INPATIENT SERVICES
Inpatient Services are provided at Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of Long Island Jewish Medical Center and at Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center at North Shore University Hospital.

SPECIALTY CENTERS

1. Pediatric Lyme Disease Center - In conjunction with the Division of Rheumatology, patients with suspected or proven Lyme disease or other tick-borne disease are evaluated and treated. Ticks removed from children or adults are identified in our laboratory to determine if the tick is a type that can carry the germ of Lyme disease. Deer ticks are further analyzed to determine the length of time they were attached to the patient. The duration of attachment provides information that helps determine the risk of Lyme disease in the patient. Research into the prevention, treatment and mechanism of Lyme disease is conducted within the division.
   
   
   Click the link below (Tick Identification Form) Print and complete the form. Bring the form with you to your appointment.
   
   Tick Identification Form
   
   
2. Pediatric Travel and Immunization Center - At SCH and SCH at North Shore, consultations are provided regarding appropriate immunizations and other preventive measures such as medicines for malaria or diarrhea prior to foreign travel. Our center is licensed for provision of yellow fever vaccine. The center also evaluates children who are ill after returning from foreign travel. Available vaccines include the meningococcal vaccine ("meningitis vaccine"), hepatitis A and B vaccines, rabies vaccine, typhoid vaccine, and Japanese encephalitis vaccine. At SCH Consultation and Diagnostic Center in Commack, pre-travel consultations are provided for adults, children, and families.
   
   Click the link below (Travel Vaccine Questionnaire) Print and complete the form. Bring the form with you to your appointment
   
   Travel Vaccine Questionnaire
   
   
   
3. Home intravenous antibiotic therapy - The infectious diseases division supervises the care of children who require courses of intravenous antibiotic therapy that can be administered at home. These patients include children with bone or joint infections, Lyme disease, and infections of the heart (endocarditis).

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
The division provides education for medical students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and other medical schools, resident physicians, pediatricians receiving advanced training in infectious diseases (infectious diseases fellows), and continuing education for practicing pediatricians. In addition, members of the division give lectures to nursing groups and community groups arranged through the Continuing Education Division of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System.

RESEARCH PROGRAMS

1. Lyme disease - laboratory study of the mechanisms of infection with the bacterial germ that causes Lyme disease. Tick analyses.
   
2. Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of infections of IV lines (intravenous catheters).
   
3. Pneumococcal disease: detection and prevention using vaccination.
   
4. Pediatric Clinical Study Center: study of new antibiotics for treatment of infections and new vaccines for prevention of infections in children.
   
5. Prevention and treatment of infections in children with cancer.