Infectious Disease

Infection can spread rapidly in a small child and involvement of a pediatric infectious diseases specialist can make all the difference. CHOC Specialists Infectious Diseases physicians are available for telephone consultation and inpatient evaluation 24-hours-a-day, 7 days a week at CHOC, CHOC at Mission and select area hospitals.

CHOC Specialists Infectious Diseases physicians are highly experienced, board certified pediatric subspecialists who understand the changing nature of infectious disease, particularly the complexities of pharmacodynamics in relation to a child’s immune status, developmental stage and possible environmental risks. They provide the early diagnosis and intervention necessary to prevent the complication and further spread of serious, life-threatening illnesses, including viral infections and complex or resistant bacterial and fungal infections. CHOC Specialists Infectious Diseases physicians also serve as medical directors of infection prevention. Their expertise has had a measurable impact in decreasing the spread of nosocomial and community infections and reducing the emergence of resistant pathogens. Infections in hospitalized children can evolve quickly and become life-threatening.

The Board Certified Pediatric Infectious Disease physicians at CHOC use their expertise to treat a range of problems – from the child in the community with meningitis or osteomyelitis, to the oncology patient with a complex fungal infection, to the fragile premature infant with sepsis. Their knowledge regarding new therapeutic modalities, emerging drug resistance, pharmacokinetics, and host-microbial interactions are key to successful outcomes for these children.

Early Intervention For Life-Threatening Conditions : The CHOC Specialists Infectious Diseases physician team is available 24-hours-a-day to provide expert diagnosis and treatment for acute or life-threatening conditions, such as:

  • Infectious diseases, including those caused by multi-resistant bacteria
  • Congenital and perinatal infections, including HIV
  • Opportunistic infections in the immunocompromised patient
  • Immunocompromised host
  • Respiratory infections
  • Viral and fungal infections
  • Community outbreaks

Inpatient services are complemented by the multidisciplinary care provided by other pediatric subspecialists, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, clinical dietitians, child psychologists and social workers at CHOC.

Outpatient Management for Chronic Conditions

Many conditions may be safely managed through home IVs and oral regimens. For the benefit of patients and their families, every effort is made to transition care to the home environment as quickly – and as safely – as possible. In the outpatient setting, there are several clinics each week for follow-up of hospitalized patients, and evaluation of new patients, such as those with recurrent fevers, travel issues, or international adoptees. There are also special clinics for patients with primary or acquired immunedeficiency. The ID physicians are available to answer questions from community physicians regarding vaccines, and other issues commonly encountered in general pediatric practice.

The CHOC Specialists Infectious Diseases physician team provides comprehensive outpatient care for:

  • HIV – an accredited program serving the greater Orange County area
  • Recurrent/periodic fever or fever of unknown origin
  • Viral hepatitis
  • Tuberculosis and other chronic infections
  • Coccidiomycosis and other endemic fungal infections
  • Travel medicine for children
  • Infections in primary immune deficiencies

Active Participants in the Latest Clinical Research

CHOC Specialists Infectious Diseases physicians serve as principal investigators for several clinical research studies, providing patients with access to the newest treatment options available. Recent studies have focused on the development of vaccines, antiviral medications, and anti-fungal treatments for common and serious infections.
CHOC Specialists Infectious Diseases physicians are also active participants in several nationwide collaborations for the study of a variety of infections in children.