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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.
Learn More About Me
Dr. Elliot Francke
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Northwestern University
  • Accepting new patients

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>

Can I get rabies from bodily fluids on car (if any) after running over dead raccon?

Thanks for the question. The odds are not zero, but not enough to require treatment or vaccination. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

HIV Transmission

The contacts you had will not transmit HIV. Thanks for the question. Please note that direct contact like this can transmit Herpes or, much less likely, syphilis. You can have READ MORE
The contacts you had will not transmit HIV. Thanks for the question. Please note that direct contact like this can transmit Herpes or, much less likely, syphilis. You can have serology testing for those. I wish you the best.

Receiving oral sex from someone with genital heroes

Thank you for your question. Although the herpes manifests only genitally, there can also be asymptomatic oral involvement. However, when not visibly active, contact contamination READ MORE
Thank you for your question. Although the herpes manifests only genitally, there can also be asymptomatic oral involvement. However, when not visibly active, contact contamination is minimal - but not impossible.

HIV Testing and Symptoms

Thanks for the question! A negative test for that duration means you do not have HIV. Consider other diagnoses. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for READ MORE
Thanks for the question! A negative test for that duration means you do not have HIV. Consider other diagnoses. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

Worried

Thanks for the question. You are at close to zero risk of any spread of infection, unless you wore the jeans with wet blood in them. Some lice or other skin parasites can be transmitted READ MORE
Thanks for the question. You are at close to zero risk of any spread of infection, unless you wore the jeans with wet blood in them. Some lice or other skin parasites can be transmitted this way. Wash them! Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

Diarrhea and medication

Thanks for the question. If the diarrhea is improving, it is not due to C. diff. Azithromycin itself can cause diarrhea. Covid-related diarrhea is unusual and also lasts longer. READ MORE
Thanks for the question. If the diarrhea is improving, it is not due to C. diff. Azithromycin itself can cause diarrhea. Covid-related diarrhea is unusual and also lasts longer.

Hyperpigmentation, fatigue and depression following COVID-19

Thanks for the question. Some of your symptoms may be related to meds or supplements. The burning and thyroid pain is largely due to gastric reflux. As for the pigmentation, see READ MORE
Thanks for the question. Some of your symptoms may be related to meds or supplements. The burning and thyroid pain is largely due to gastric reflux. As for the pigmentation, see your doctor for an endocrine evaluation. Heavy metals can also be involved. I should mention that Covid can cause endocrine disturbances. Please see your doctor.