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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.
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Dr. Elliot Francke
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Northwestern University
  • Accepting new patients

Am I at risk of rabies?

Thanks for the question. None of this puts you at any risk of rabies. The cuts may have been exposed to bacteria, however. If any of those areas turns red, see a doctor immediately. READ MORE
Thanks for the question. None of this puts you at any risk of rabies. The cuts may have been exposed to bacteria, however. If any of those areas turns red, see a doctor immediately. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

How accurate is a Rapid Hiv Antibody test after 10 weeks and 5 days?

Thanks for the question. The test is accurate from 45 to 90 days after acquisition of the virus.

COVID

Thanks for the question. Chest tightness can be an asthmatic response to the infection, pleurisy (inflammation of lining tissue of luungs), myocarditis from the virus itself, or READ MORE
Thanks for the question. Chest tightness can be an asthmatic response to the infection, pleurisy (inflammation of lining tissue of luungs), myocarditis from the virus itself, or an actual heart attack. Please see your doctor as soon as possible. If it worsens or recurs, call 911!

Hiv

Thanks for the question. The risk is minimal but not zero. You can have your kidney function monitored by your doctor.

Do I have hiv?

Thanks for the question. The peeling hands were not due to HIV. There are a few possible causes, from eczema to post-bacterial, to a few odd but not rare syndromes. However, you READ MORE
Thanks for the question. The peeling hands were not due to HIV. There are a few possible causes, from eczema to post-bacterial, to a few odd but not rare syndromes. However, you should test for HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis due to the past unprotected contact. If negative, it will also help reduce any sense of anxiety. And please, no guilt. You are cared for!

STD risk

Thanks for the question. If the condom remained intact, you are safe.

Can you get a std from touching a condom

Thanks for the question. Unless the contents of the condom contacted the cut, there is no chance of STD transmission. If it did, handwashing is all you need, or the risk is still READ MORE
Thanks for the question. Unless the contents of the condom contacted the cut, there is no chance of STD transmission. If it did, handwashing is all you need, or the risk is still less than 1%.

Dengue Virus

Yes.

primary care doctor told me not to get second dose of covid moderna vaccine after I got bells palsy from the first dose booster shot?

Thanks for the question. This is difficult. Bell's Palsy has been reported anecdotally after the vaccine. No causal association is proven because Bell's Palsy does not occur more READ MORE
Thanks for the question. This is difficult. Bell's Palsy has been reported anecdotally after the vaccine. No causal association is proven because Bell's Palsy does not occur more frequently after the vaccine than it does in the general population. Also, there are other established causes, including Herpes simplex 1 and Lyme Disease. Nevertheless, I cannot ask you to ignore the possibility, and I therefore cannot tell you to take any risk. That, you must decide for yourself. I wish you well.

Help!

Thanks for the question. There is no chance of acquiring HIV, and hepatitis would only require that you wash your hands or use sanitizer.

Chances of Transmission

Thanks for the question. If your partner was taking antiherpetic medication at the time of contact, your risk is less than 1 %. You can have a serology test now and at 4-6 weeks READ MORE
Thanks for the question. If your partner was taking antiherpetic medication at the time of contact, your risk is less than 1 %. You can have a serology test now and at 4-6 weeks after exposure, and culture if you have visible lesions at contact sites.

Genital Herpes or Fordyce Spots

The non- tender bumps are not at all likely to be herpetic. If they disappear with treatment for Herpes, then they are, but if not, they are not. Thanks for the question!

Flesh eating disease

Or synergistic bacteria. Thanks for the question.

How long does COVID cough last?

Thanks for the question. Generally, the cough will end within a few days to weeks. A small percentage of people develop long Covid, and the cough lasts several months.

Chlamydia Testing

Thanks for the question. Yes, it could have been a false positive, and yes, it could turn negative after a few days of treatment.

Blood exposure

If the blood is not fresh, there is no concern. If it is fresh, unlikely but not impossible. Thanks for the question. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook READ MORE
If the blood is not fresh, there is no concern. If it is fresh, unlikely but not impossible. Thanks for the question. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

Can I get the COVID vaccine if I have arrhythmia?

Thanks for the question. Yes, arrhythmia is not a problem with obtaining the vaccine. You can get the vaccine. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android READ MORE
Thanks for the question. Yes, arrhythmia is not a problem with obtaining the vaccine. You can get the vaccine. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

Skin infection

Thanks for the question. If you are talking painful open sores, then likely this is shingles - Herpes zoster. I would have to examine it. There are a few other viruses and bacteria READ MORE
Thanks for the question. If you are talking painful open sores, then likely this is shingles - Herpes zoster. I would have to examine it. There are a few other viruses and bacteria that can do this. For example, Herpes simplex, some ulcerating Clostridia, if you have been in the Ocean, then Vibrio vulnificans, and others. Please see your doctor. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

HIV

Thanks for the question. If you do not know the prostitutes status for HIV, Herpes, Syphilis, or Chlamydia, you can obtain a prescription for HIV medication for 30 days, one dose READ MORE
Thanks for the question. If you do not know the prostitutes status for HIV, Herpes, Syphilis, or Chlamydia, you can obtain a prescription for HIV medication for 30 days, one dose Azithromycin for Chlamydia, and consider testing for Herpes simplex and Syphilis now and in a few weeks. Consider HPV vaccine, if you haven't received it. Use condoms. If not, you can take Truvada or equivalent prior to contact. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

HIV from blackhead remover

Thanks for the question. You are safe, as far as HIV goes, buy should sterilize the device before and after use with alcohol or bleach. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone READ MORE
Thanks for the question. You are safe, as far as HIV goes, buy should sterilize the device before and after use with alcohol or bleach. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>