EXPERT
Dr. Lisa M. Dunkle, MD
Infectious Disease Specialist (Pediatric)
Dr. Lisa Dunkle is a pediatric infectious disease specialist practicing in Madison, CT. Dr. Dunkle specializes in recurring or persistent diseases caused by bacteria, parasites or fungus in infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric infectious disease specialists also provide consultation to other health care professionals dealing with complex cases.
52 years
Experience
Dr. Lisa M. Dunkle, MD
- Madison, CT
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
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What medications are effective for a child's flu?
Drink plenty of fluids, Tylenol for fever/aches and ask you doc for Tamiflu if the disease gets bad or your daughter is at high risk for complications.
Can the COVID infection cause dry cough?
Yes, but a real diagnosis requires a test.
Can bad hearing after an ear infection be treated?
If an ear infection caused physical damage to the middle ear (the bones) it may be diagnosed by an ENT and repair might be feasible. Damage to the auditory nerve is best diagnosed READ MORE
If an ear infection caused physical damage to the middle ear (the bones) it may be diagnosed by an ENT and repair might be feasible. Damage to the auditory nerve is best diagnosed by an otoneurologist, who also may be able to suggest treatment.
Is the COVID vaccine safe for pregnant?
yes and it should be given. Pregnancy puts a woman at greater risk of complications of COVID and vaccination of mom in the 2-3rd trimester protects the baby after delivery. Good READ MORE
yes and it should be given. Pregnancy puts a woman at greater risk of complications of COVID and vaccination of mom in the 2-3rd trimester protects the baby after delivery. Good luck!
Can a 5-year-old get a COVID vaccine?
Yes, the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for use in kids 5-11 years of age.
When should I go to the emergency room for COVID?
Chest pain, shortness of breath, duskiness of skin, neurological issues would all be reasons to go to the ER, especially if you have high risk factors like age over 65, diabetes READ MORE
Chest pain, shortness of breath, duskiness of skin, neurological issues would all be reasons to go to the ER, especially if you have high risk factors like age over 65, diabetes type 2, obesity, or chronic lung or kidney disease.
Sars 2 in children to adults?
You don't mention your grandson's age, which is obviously critical to how much close contact would be involved in your taking care of him and whether he can wear a mask. Also, READ MORE
You don't mention your grandson's age, which is obviously critical to how much close contact would be involved in your taking care of him and whether he can wear a mask. Also, it's important to know whether he is symptomatic (sick) or not. If he's young, especially less than 2 years old, and can't reliably wear a mask, it would be preferable to have someone else care for him. Also, if he's symptomatic, I would recommend an alternative caregiver. If he's older, can wear a mask, and is not symptomatic, you might decide that you can take appropriate precautions in caring for him. You also don't mention what your "underlying conditions" are, which makes a difference in terms of your risk for complications. All in all, it would be better to find someone else, but given all the issues that impact your risks, I can only suggest that you consider wisely and act carefully if you decide to take care of him.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Can I get COVID vaccine if I am pregnant?
Yes, you can and you should -- protect yourself and provide your baby with protective antibodies. Best choices are probably the mRNA vaccines rather than adenovirus vector vaccine. READ MORE
Yes, you can and you should -- protect yourself and provide your baby with protective antibodies. Best choices are probably the mRNA vaccines rather than adenovirus vector vaccine. Congratulations and good luck!
Covid-19?
Sounds like a pretty typical story. Take your Tylenol. Stay hydrated and rest.
Is covid really that dangerous for children under 12?
In most kids, COVID-19 is not a horrible disease, so overall, the risk is pretty small. HOWEVER, for the uncommon kid who gets Multi Inflammatory System - Children (MIS-C), it's READ MORE
In most kids, COVID-19 is not a horrible disease, so overall, the risk is pretty small. HOWEVER, for the uncommon kid who gets Multi Inflammatory System - Children (MIS-C), it's a really nasty disease. Worse yet, we don't know what the long-term effects may be over the next years. Bottom line -- get the adolescents and adults in your household vaccinated and protect your younger kids with masks, hand washing, etc.
Is it normal to have stomach pain after COVID infection?
GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea) are very much a part of COVID-19 -- give it some time to resolve.
Is stomach pain after COVID normal?
COVID-19 definitely causes GI distress -- usually described as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but I would think that continued abdominal pain would not be unexpected. However, READ MORE
COVID-19 definitely causes GI distress -- usually described as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but I would think that continued abdominal pain would not be unexpected. However, there are other considerations, including ulcer disease (did you take a lot of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, e.g., ibuprofen, during the acute part of your illness), or there may be something totally unrelated, eg appendicitis. Probably best to see your doctor.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Should I give my child the flu vaccine?
You should definitely have your 7-year-old vaccinated against the flu! The data are clear that it prevents infection and illness. While the complications of flu in school-aged READ MORE
You should definitely have your 7-year-old vaccinated against the flu! The data are clear that it prevents infection and illness. While the complications of flu in school-aged kids are infrequent, they do happen, and the kids frequently spread the disease to folks around them who are at risk for serious complications. By all means, have your son vaccinated against the flu!
Why do you lose your sense of taste when you get covid?
It's not known exactly, but it obviously involves virus interaction with the cranial nerves responsible for taste and smell. All viruses have what's known as "tropism" for specific READ MORE
It's not known exactly, but it obviously involves virus interaction with the cranial nerves responsible for taste and smell. All viruses have what's known as "tropism" for specific tissues and in the nervous system this can mean specific areas of the brain or peripheral nervous system. COVID obviously has a tropism for the 1st (olfactory=smell) and a branch of the 5th (taste).
How do you break a fever in a child naturally?
If you choose not to use an anti-fever medicine, the most effective is bathing with cool (but not cold) water.
What exact medicine can I buy to cure chicken pox?
Topical (place on your skin) calamine lotion or Caladryl (generic forms are available), which contains an anti allergy, anti-itch component, are both good. Oatmeal baths can also READ MORE
Topical (place on your skin) calamine lotion or Caladryl (generic forms are available), which contains an anti allergy, anti-itch component, are both good. Oatmeal baths can also be a relief. Finally, ask your doctor for a prescription for acyclovir (or valacyclovir) - started in the first 48 hours, this stuff is a miraculous cure.
If my child has covid what are the chances my whole family will get it?
The SARS CoV-2 virus is highly contagious, and if a member of your family (living with you) has been diagnosed, it's highly likely that others in the family have also become (or READ MORE
The SARS CoV-2 virus is highly contagious, and if a member of your family (living with you) has been diagnosed, it's highly likely that others in the family have also become (or will become) infected. Fortunately, much of SARS CoV-2 infection is asymptomatic, so if no one else is sick yet, you may be among the lucky ones. CDC does recommend isolating the known positive individual to the extent possible -- much hand washing, sanitizing "touch points" and wearing masks. Probably everyone in the household should be tested, but follow the isolation procedures regardless. The best approach is to assume everyone is infected.
What does bronchitis sound like in a baby?
Cough. Maybe fever, often wheezing. It's common for difficulty breathing and chest being sucked in when trying to inhale -- this is called "retractions."
Can a virus cause blisters in your mouth?
Yes, a number of viruses can cause blisters (we call them vesicles) in the mouth. Most are self-limiting, but if accompanied by fever, skin rash, and overall a really sick kid, READ MORE
Yes, a number of viruses can cause blisters (we call them vesicles) in the mouth. Most are self-limiting, but if accompanied by fever, skin rash, and overall a really sick kid, you should see your pediatrician.
Why is the flu more deadly in children than covid-19?
Since we really don't have a very long history of observation of COVID, I'm not sure we can say with certainty that your assertion is correct. So far, it does appear that the SARS READ MORE
Since we really don't have a very long history of observation of COVID, I'm not sure we can say with certainty that your assertion is correct. So far, it does appear that the SARS CoV-2 virus doesn't cause a huge amount of disease in kids, but it is clear that kids are infected and shed the virus. So, we have a lot to learn and the only answer I can offer is "we don't know" and "we're not sure your assumption is correct." Sorry there's not more definitive answers.
