Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases include any disease or illness caused by germs, such as bacteria and viruses. While you can take steps to prevent disease and infection through proper hygiene and other practices, children are often at an increased risk for certain conditions while their immune systems are still developing and simply because of exposure – kids being kids.

Because diagnosis and care for an infectious disease can be complex, it is important for your child to see a pediatric specialist who can accurately diagnose and treat your child's condition. Children's National Hospital's comprehensive services include care for children with infectious diseases and epidemiological tracking that, for contagious conditions, helps limit the spread of infection and prevent further outbreaks:

• Bone and joint infections
• Fever of unknown origin
• HIV/AIDS
• Influenza
• Lyme disease
• Meningitis
• MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus)
• Tuberculosis

Inpatient and outpatient consultations for the full range of infectious diseases in immunocompetent and immunocompromised children are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Inpatient consultation is available for all hospitalized patients, including general ward patients, surgical, intensive care, solid organ and stem cell transplant patients. The Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic serves the needs for subspecialty referral form primary care providers throughout the Washington Metropolitan area, as well as internal referrals from Children’s National staff.