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.
53 years
Experience
Dr. Lisa M. Dunkle, MD
- Madison, CT
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
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How do you know if your child is breathing too fast?
The normal respiratory rate for a 7-year-old is 18-30 breaths per minute. Apart from fast breathing, other things that might be a concern is if he complains of being short of breath READ MORE
The normal respiratory rate for a 7-year-old is 18-30 breaths per minute. Apart from fast breathing, other things that might be a concern is if he complains of being short of breath ("I'm out of breath") or you notice that he is sucking the wall of his chest between his ribs or sucking his stomach in when he inhales.
Is it safe for my 13 year old to attend summer camp?
First, sleep-away camp is largely excluded for this summer. Day camps need to be evaluated to ensure they are compliant with state and CDC guidelines for cleanliness and distancing. READ MORE
First, sleep-away camp is largely excluded for this summer. Day camps need to be evaluated to ensure they are compliant with state and CDC guidelines for cleanliness and distancing. I would make sure your 13 year old son understands the seriousness of this situation and that he is certain to be careful to protect himself. Then, when he comes home daily, and immediate shower and change of clothing is needed before he touches anyone or anything in the house. There's still a risk, but it can be minimized.
How do kids get meningitis?
First, let me offer my sympathies for your facing this scary disease. There are many causes of meningitis -- several common bacteria are usually prevented by vaccines recommended READ MORE
First, let me offer my sympathies for your facing this scary disease. There are many causes of meningitis -- several common bacteria are usually prevented by vaccines recommended for all kids, but can sometimes happen anyway. Also, a number of viruses can cause the condition. Regardless of the cause, most cases of meningitis occur when the infectious agent invades the blood stream and then "seeds" the membranes lining the brain and spinal cord. The diagnosis must be made quickly and appropriate treatment instituted. Depending on the infectious cause of the meningitis, the outcome may be total recovery or some degree of damage, including hearing loss. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, most kids survive, and I hope the same will be true for your daughter.
Lisa M. Dunkle, MD
Lisa M. Dunkle, MD
What's the best way to prevent mono?
Like other viral infections that are transmitted by close contact, mononucleosis can best be prevented by avoiding close contact (it's called the "kissing disease" for a reason). READ MORE
Like other viral infections that are transmitted by close contact, mononucleosis can best be prevented by avoiding close contact (it's called the "kissing disease" for a reason). Avoiding close contact and frequent hand-washing is the best that can be offered.
How can I prevent my child from getting Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?
Ask the day care center to be careful about close contact among the children and frequent handwashing. Since hand-foot-mouth disease is also transmitted via the oral-fecal route, READ MORE
Ask the day care center to be careful about close contact among the children and frequent handwashing. Since hand-foot-mouth disease is also transmitted via the oral-fecal route, the day care personnel need to be especially careful about cleanliness around diapering.
How effective is the tuberculosis vaccine?
The BCG vaccine for TB is generally considered not particularly effective and for that reason is not used in the US. In countries where TB is really prevalent, BCG is still administered READ MORE
The BCG vaccine for TB is generally considered not particularly effective and for that reason is not used in the US. In countries where TB is really prevalent, BCG is still administered to reduce some level of risk. BCG is only given once.
Is flu season bad this year?
The severity of any flu season is usually related to the type of influenza that circulates, e.g. A vs. B or A/H1N1 vs. A/H3N2. It's hard to predict how each year will pan out, READ MORE
The severity of any flu season is usually related to the type of influenza that circulates, e.g. A vs. B or A/H1N1 vs. A/H3N2. It's hard to predict how each year will pan out, but the specific strains that circulate and how well "covered" they are by the annual flu vaccine usually determines the differences.
How do I prevent bed bugs?
Cleanliness, frequent laundering following intensive cleaning and disinfecting.
What are treatment options for a child with anemia?
Depends on the cause of the anemia. Iron deficiency is relatively benign and usually treated with oral iron supplements, but there are other causes, so your doctor should do a READ MORE
Depends on the cause of the anemia. Iron deficiency is relatively benign and usually treated with oral iron supplements, but there are other causes, so your doctor should do a thorough work-up to determine the cause of the anemia and define an appropriate course of treatment.
How serious is the coronavirus for children?
It's potentially serious for anyone -- keep a close eye and follow guidance to avoid exposure.
When should I take my child to the doctor for flu-like symptoms?
Most flu-like illnesses only require rest, hydration and acetaminiphen or ibuprofen (Tylenol or Motrin). A significant fever, i.e over 101 degrees, inability to maintain hydration, READ MORE
Most flu-like illnesses only require rest, hydration and acetaminiphen or ibuprofen (Tylenol or Motrin). A significant fever, i.e over 101 degrees, inability to maintain hydration, sluggish mental interaction would all be reasons to see the doc. Also, if the symptoms last longer than 3-4 days, you would probably want to call the doc's office for advice.
Are children at a high-risk for getting the coronavirus?
The likelihood of contracting coronavirus is not well understood, but overall appears to be quite low. Nevertheless, the infection can be very serious, so follow public health READ MORE
The likelihood of contracting coronavirus is not well understood, but overall appears to be quite low. Nevertheless, the infection can be very serious, so follow public health recommendations and keep informed about the status of the epidemic in your area.
Could we have been exposed to coronavirus?
You may have been, but when testing for prior infection is widely available, you may want to ask you doctor if you should be tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. It might be nice READ MORE
You may have been, but when testing for prior infection is widely available, you may want to ask you doctor if you should be tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. It might be nice to know if you have already developed some immunity.
Can you be allergic to antibody testing?
An antibody test is performed on blood drawn from the arm, so there is no exposure to anything that your son could be allergic to.
Lisa M. Dunkle, MD
Lisa M. Dunkle, MD
Why is the COVID-19 infection rate so low in children?
The epidemiology and the clinical presentation of coronavirus in children is not well understood. In the absence of widespread testing, we don't know if there are cases of infection READ MORE
The epidemiology and the clinical presentation of coronavirus in children is not well understood. In the absence of widespread testing, we don't know if there are cases of infection that have gone undetected or if there actually is a lower rate of infection in kids. The emergence ;in recent weeks of the "widespread inflammatory reaction" that appears to be related to coronavirus indicates that there is much to be learned about the clinical presentation and potential complications of this infection in both children and adults. The safest course of action is to assume that children may be infected as readily as adults and therefore to apply all the precautions for them that are recommended for adults.
Lisa M. Dunkle, MD
Lisa M. Dunkle, MD
What is the fatality rate for covid-19?
That's a question that is being evaluated by many scientists and epidemiologists and we still are unsure of the answer. Mortality rates can only be determined if the total number READ MORE
That's a question that is being evaluated by many scientists and epidemiologists and we still are unsure of the answer. Mortality rates can only be determined if the total number of infected individuals is known and without broad testing we can't know the correct "denominator" to calculate the percent of infected people who die of the disease. At present, estimates range from about 1%-2% to as high as 10%, depending on age. There's no question that COVID-19 has a higher mortality rate than seasonal influenza (which is about 0.1%), but because of the the apparently frequent undiagnosed asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic infection, greater specificity will only come when we truly understand how many people have been infected with the virus.
Is it normal to get sick two times per month?
If each illness was carefully diagnosed, it may just be bad luck, especially if he's been healthy till now -- make sure each is properly and adequately treated, then watch and READ MORE
If each illness was carefully diagnosed, it may just be bad luck, especially if he's been healthy till now -- make sure each is properly and adequately treated, then watch and wait. If there are recurrences or other worrisome signs, work up for underlying disease.
What does the chicken pox really look like, and how contagious is it?
Chicken pox is pink spots with central blisters, typically beginning on the face and head and spreading over the body. It's very contagious, but if everyone in the house has been READ MORE
Chicken pox is pink spots with central blisters, typically beginning on the face and head and spreading over the body. It's very contagious, but if everyone in the house has been vaccinated it should be contained. The rash you describe doesn't sound like chickenpox, but it could be modified by prior vaccination.
If my son has chicken pox, how can I prevent it from spreading to other children? my
Ask your doctor whether treatment with acyclovir is warranted to stop your son's viral shedding.
