expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Elliot Francke

Infectious Disease Specialist

Dr. Elliot Francke is an infectious disease specialist practicing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Francke specializes in infections that are difficult to diagnose or unresponsive to treatments, such as HIV or airborne infections from a foreign country. Infectious disease specialists usually work with conditions that are not treatable by a primary physician but it is important to keep contact with the primary physician in order to receive information about the patients history and for deciding which diagnostic tests are appropriate.
Dr. Elliot Francke
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Northwestern University
  • Accepting new patients

Is honey good for a baby with a cough?

Thanks for the question. Please call your pediatrician or nurse.

Got the Covid vaccine too soon?

Thanks for the question. We generally ask you to wait 90 days after a covid infection to receive the vaccine. Your respiratory symptoms should be investigated by your doctor. There READ MORE
Thanks for the question. We generally ask you to wait 90 days after a covid infection to receive the vaccine. Your respiratory symptoms should be investigated by your doctor. There is no guidance scientifically about what to do further about too early a vaccine, or if it can induce respiratory symptoms if given too early. It would be worth a direct inquiry to Pfizer or Moderna. I have made an inquiry, and no one is willing to speculate about this question, as there is no data.

I don’t want to get the vaccine?

Thanks for your question. There are no studies concerning fertility rates in vaccinated women or men. That makes it impossible to make a recommendation. We do know that receipt READ MORE
Thanks for your question. There are no studies concerning fertility rates in vaccinated women or men. That makes it impossible to make a recommendation. We do know that receipt of the vaccines during pregnancy does not increase the rate of fetal abnormalities. Use your best judgment, but understand that the larger the number of unvaccinated people, the less the chance of achieving herd immunity, which would allow the easing of restrictions. Google studies periodically to see if any fertility studies are available.

Second covid-19 shot?

Thanks for the question. If the symptoms are due to the vaccine, and not an unrelated stomach virus, they should resolve in a few days. If they don't, please call your doctor. READ MORE
Thanks for the question. If the symptoms are due to the vaccine, and not an unrelated stomach virus, they should resolve in a few days. If they don't, please call your doctor. Many other things can cause nausea. If you have actual pain or fever, please call your doctor now.

Covid nasal swab testing?

You may be allergic to the swab! Try requesting a saliva test, or, if not possible, an exemption for the allergy.
Thanks for the question!

How often should seniors get the pneumonia vaccine?

Thanks for the question. Two shots, at least one Prevnar.

Covid Vaccine?

Thanks for the question. The Astra-Zeneca vaccine is approved for release in Europe, but not in the United States. A very small percentage of recipients developed disseminated READ MORE
Thanks for the question. The Astra-Zeneca vaccine is approved for release in Europe, but not in the United States. A very small percentage of recipients developed disseminated clotting with no other underlying explanation. I would personally recommend the other vaccines, but that is strictly a personal preference. So far, they have been safe, but no one knows if there would be any long term effects of any of the vaccines.

Penicillin allergy vs the covid-19 vaccine?

It is safe to take the vaccine, unless you have a history of reaction to other vaccines or to polysorbate. Penicillin allergy has no effect on vaccine tolerance. Thanks for READ MORE
It is safe to take the vaccine, unless you have a history of reaction to other vaccines or to polysorbate. Penicillin allergy has no effect on vaccine tolerance.
Thanks for the question!

Can a virus cause blisters in your mouth?

Thanks for the question. Many viruses cause mouth blisters. The most common are Herpes simplex (cold sores) and Coxsackie (hand, foot, and mouth), but there are other illnesses READ MORE
Thanks for the question. Many viruses cause mouth blisters. The most common are Herpes simplex (cold sores) and Coxsackie (hand, foot, and mouth), but there are other illnesses to consider. Please see the pediatrician.

Dupixent & Covid shot?

Yes. Thanks for the question. Dupixent inhibits two Inflammatory mediators which are not necessary for response to the vaccine, but there is no study showing any interaction. When READ MORE
Yes. Thanks for the question. Dupixent inhibits two Inflammatory mediators which are not necessary for response to the vaccine, but there is no study showing any interaction. When uncertain, it is best to wait 14 days after the vaccine before taking any possible interacting drugs.

Taking different antibiotics simultaneously?

Thanks for your question. The two meds do not interact, but the Doxycycline should not be taken less than 2 hours after eating anything dairy or anything with Calcium or Magnesium, READ MORE
Thanks for your question. The two meds do not interact, but the Doxycycline should not be taken less than 2 hours after eating anything dairy or anything with Calcium or Magnesium, and wait two hours after taking it before consuming those things. Doxycycline can also cause a skin rash after sun exposure in up to 25% of people. Probiotics are a bit of a problem when taking antibiotics that can destroy the bacteria in them, so I would take them late at night, 2 hours or more after your last dose. Most probiotics are not particularly effective, but you can try Kefir or a brand with Bifidobacterium.

Covid vaccine question?

Thanks for the question. You can receive the vaccine in either arm.

How do I know if my child has covid?

Children rarely have symptoms of COVID. You can call his pediatrician to arrange a test and, more importantly, discuss if your child needs to be seen for anything. Thanks for READ MORE
Children rarely have symptoms of COVID. You can call his pediatrician to arrange a test and, more importantly, discuss if your child needs to be seen for anything.
Thanks for the question!

Covid vaccine - took Tylenol prior?

Thanks for the question. Do not worry. The second dose increases efficacy about ten-fold.

Can someone with CAEBV get a covid vaccine?

Thanks for the question. Yes, she can safely receive the vaccine.

Covid-19 tests?

Thanks for the question. It is rare, but you can contract the virus a second time. The CDC defines a second infection as symptoms with a positive test more than 90 days after the READ MORE
Thanks for the question. It is rare, but you can contract the virus a second time. The CDC defines a second infection as symptoms with a positive test more than 90 days after the first infection. Quarantine 10 days if you have no symptoms. Sorry.

Quarantine before surgery?

Thanks for the question. No quarantine, but he will need to have a negative COVID test taken within 3 days of the surgery.

Sinus and vaccine?

It is best to wait until you are well.