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
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Returning to worship after surgery?
The surgery does not affect your susceptibility to COVID. Masks help reduce transmission, but social distancing is highly recommended.
I hope you will be well soon!
I hope you will be well soon!
Covid?
The simplest thing you can do is to wear a mask, insist that all others entering the store wear a mask, and practice distancing, preferably 10 feet or more. If those rules cannot READ MORE
The simplest thing you can do is to wear a mask, insist that all others entering the store wear a mask, and practice distancing, preferably 10 feet or more. If those rules cannot be followed, then explain to your supervisor that you are not comfortable working in unsafe conditions.
Can it be COVID-19?
Not likely, but needs immediate attention by a doctor.
How do you know if your child is breathing too fast?
Breathing is automatic. Fast breathing may reflect air hunger, as in asthma or pneumonia. See a doctor if breathing is labored and not just due to exercise or exertion. Rate can READ MORE
Breathing is automatic. Fast breathing may reflect air hunger, as in asthma or pneumonia. See a doctor if breathing is labored and not just due to exercise or exertion. Rate can be counted per minute, and should be less than 24 at rest. Infants may have a higher rate.
Is a fever always a sign of an infection?
There are many different causes of fever. Infection may be present even when culture techniques do not reveal the source. For example, consider viral infections such as mononucleosis READ MORE
There are many different causes of fever. Infection may be present even when culture techniques do not reveal the source. For example, consider viral infections such as mononucleosis and hepatitis. Medications, vasculitis, malignancy, inflammatory bowel disease, central nervous system disease, hyperthyroidism, and other diseases can all cause fever. Your doctor can take a thorough history, perform an exam, and order appropriate tests to determine the cause.
Thank you for your question.
Thank you for your question.
Can a fungal infection spread from one person to another?
Thanks for your question. Skin fungi are transmissible. In general, other fungi are not.
What are the treatment options for lyme disease?
Once confirmed, Lyme is treated with Doxycycline for 14 to 30 days. Central nervous system disease - meningitis or late stage - can be treated with 4 weeks of Ceftriaxone. Longer READ MORE
Once confirmed, Lyme is treated with Doxycycline for 14 to 30 days. Central nervous system disease - meningitis or late stage - can be treated with 4 weeks of Ceftriaxone. Longer treatments are unnecessary.
What can be done to prevent ticks?
Thanks for your question.
To prevent ticks from getting onto your child or others, you can avoid wooded areas, wear long pants with light colors, spray clothing with Permethrin READ MORE
Thanks for your question.
To prevent ticks from getting onto your child or others, you can avoid wooded areas, wear long pants with light colors, spray clothing with Permethrin sprays, use insect repellents wit DEET. Please also be sure your pets are treated to prevent ticks and fleas. Your veterinarian can recommend appropriate treatments for your pets.
To prevent ticks from getting onto your child or others, you can avoid wooded areas, wear long pants with light colors, spray clothing with Permethrin sprays, use insect repellents wit DEET. Please also be sure your pets are treated to prevent ticks and fleas. Your veterinarian can recommend appropriate treatments for your pets.
How can dengue be prevented?
Sorry. DEET or equivalent insect spray, and Permethrin on clothing only are effective.
Can a viral cold and cough be treated without antibiotics?
In the absence of fever or symptoms lasting 8 days or more, antibiotics are not indicated.
Why does my child have a recurring strep throat infection?
Group A Streptococcus can be a chronic colonizer of the throat, not fully eliminated by antibiotics. One place it hides is the tonsils, and removal of the tonsils has ended recurrent READ MORE
Group A Streptococcus can be a chronic colonizer of the throat, not fully eliminated by antibiotics. One place it hides is the tonsils, and removal of the tonsils has ended recurrent symptomatic throat infections. Viral infections and immunosuppression may upset a person's control of this bacteria, allowing symptomatic infections to occur.
Is a vaginal infection contagious?
Thank you for your question. Yes, yeast can be transmitted sexually, although it is often without symptoms in a man.
I had a ringwom infection a year back and now I'm relapsing. Can you recommend any treatment?
Thanks for the question. You can still use topical treatments, including azoles and terbinafine. For refractory ringworm, these agents are also available as pills.
Can makeup brushes be the cause of bacterial skin infection?
Yes, uncleaned and shared makeup brushes can transmit skin bacteria and even fungi. At best, brushes should be cleaned thoroughly after each use, and never shared. Published recommendations READ MORE
Yes, uncleaned and shared makeup brushes can transmit skin bacteria and even fungi. At best, brushes should be cleaned thoroughly after each use, and never shared. Published recommendations mention cleaning brushes monthly if not shared.
Thank you for your question.
Thank you for your question.
How do I know if it's only a cold or something serious?
Thank you for the question. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. However, if your daughter has these symptoms plus a fever over 100.4 degrees, diffuse muscle aches, a productive READ MORE
Thank you for the question. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. However, if your daughter has these symptoms plus a fever over 100.4 degrees, diffuse muscle aches, a productive cough, weakness, or additional symptoms to her usual list, then it is time to go to see the doctor.
Are ayurvedic medicines help treat bacterial infections?
There is no evidence one way or the other that Ayurvedic treatments have any effect on bacterial infections.
Are the measles contagious?
Measles is highly contagious to anyone who has not been vaccinated, but not to anyone who has been vaccinated.
What causes the hand foot mouth disease?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is due to a Coxsackie A virus, highly contagious by direct contact and airborne to some extent. There is no vaccine or treatment. The symptoms and READ MORE
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is due to a Coxsackie A virus, highly contagious by direct contact and airborne to some extent. There is no vaccine or treatment. The symptoms and signs include fever, sore throat, and red to blistering rash that includes the palms and soles. The rash can be painful. Children and adults with this disease should stay home and avoid contact with others until the rash resolves. The best prevention is to avoid contact.
Are there different stages in HIV infection?
The disease goes into a latent phase. When enough immune cells are destroyed, the person loses protection against serious infections and some malignancies. This can take months READ MORE
The disease goes into a latent phase. When enough immune cells are destroyed, the person loses protection against serious infections and some malignancies. This can take months or years. It does not occur at all if the person faithfully takes medication that prevents the virus from multiplying. With treatment, a near-normal lifespan is anticipated.
Should I be concerned about dengue?
Dengue is a mosquito borne virus endemic to many warm climates. In North America, it is common in the Caribbean, with a few cases in southern states. If traveling in endemic zones, READ MORE
Dengue is a mosquito borne virus endemic to many warm climates. In North America, it is common in the Caribbean, with a few cases in southern states. If traveling in endemic zones, use appropriate insect repellent. A vaccine is in development.
