expert type icon 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

About HIV?

Some STDs spread by skin to skin contact, but a condom protects from Gonorrhea and HIV, unless it breaks. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android READ MORE
Some STDs spread by skin to skin contact, but a condom protects from Gonorrhea and HIV, unless it breaks.

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

Protected sex during chlamydia?

You will not reinfect yourself while on treatment. There will be no need to prolong treatment, either. Your boyfriend was foolish. Condoms can break. If you have not been tested READ MORE
You will not reinfect yourself while on treatment. There will be no need to prolong treatment, either. Your boyfriend was foolish. Condoms can break. If you have not been tested for syphilis and HIV, you should. Also, please be sure you are vaccinated against HPV. I wish you well.

Needle stick injury?

Although dogs can carry Hepatitis, it's quite rare, and they do not carry HIV. You did the right thing, especially if the dog is healthy.

Not getting erections and weight loss?

This is not an infection. Please see a urologist.

Is this herpes?

Thanks for the question. This is almost certainly Herpes. You should see your doctor for treatment and to rule out another concomitant sexually transmitted disease.

Is this HPV?

Thanks for the question. Likely it is. Occasionally, Herpes simplex and other viruses can look like this as well. Please consider testing for other STDs.

Covid-19

Thanks for the question. If you were directly exposed, you should test before exposing others, including people in your doctor's office. You can have and spread covid without READ MORE
Thanks for the question. If you were directly exposed, you should test before exposing others, including people in your doctor's office. You can have and spread covid without having any symptoms. However, if you are without symptoms and more than 10 days after last exposure, you are likely safe.

Hiv Transmission

Thanks for the question. If the blade of the razor was not used previously, you are at no risk. The alum is not a problem.

How will this effect me?

Thanks for the question. Although no one knows the effect of missing the last dose, you will likely have the protective effect of the course of medicine.

Is there a way to prevent getting STDs?

Thanks for the question. You can use condoms. This is all you can do to prevent HPV. You can also both take Valacyclovir prior to sexual contact to help prevent HSV, both types. READ MORE
Thanks for the question. You can use condoms. This is all you can do to prevent HPV. You can also both take Valacyclovir prior to sexual contact to help prevent HSV, both types. You should be tested for HSV, and both of you should consider testing for HIV, other STDs, and possibly also Hepatitis.

HPV vaccination?

Thanks for the question. People up to age 45 can be vaccinated for HPV. Discuss the vaccine with your doctor, since it will not prevent or treat the strain you already carry. READ MORE
Thanks for the question. People up to age 45 can be vaccinated for HPV. Discuss the vaccine with your doctor, since it will not prevent or treat the strain you already carry. Likely your doctor will assess your risks for future exposure in making the decision.

Can a person's body fight off hepatitis c?

Thanks for the question. At least 50% of infected people have an acute infection, then completely recover.

HIV blood work?

Thanks for the question. You didn't have HIV in December. But you must have a workup for the cause of the anemia.

Do I need a vaccine or is natural immunity enough to travel?

Although there is natural immunity, it is often less effective than the vaccine. You should get vaccinated despite having had the illness itself. Thanks for the question.

Muscle pain and stiffness after puncture wound?

The tetanus vaccine is up to date. Also, see your doctor be evaluated for local nerve and tissue damage.

Can a 3-year-old get a COVID vaccination?

Thanks for the question. The vaccine is only available for ages 5 and up. There may be one for younger children sometime this summer.

Herpes 1 and 2?

Thanks for the question. You can have both. If your test was an antibody test, which is likely, then it indicates past disease and colonization, not currently active unless you READ MORE
Thanks for the question. You can have both. If your test was an antibody test, which is likely, then it indicates past disease and colonization, not currently active unless you have blisters or symptoms. Stress and immunosuppression can bring the virus out to the skin. Both types are treatable. Without active skin disease, contact is rare, with < 1% risk, which can be reduced further by taking Valacyclovir prior to the contact.

Can a 5-year-old get a COVID vaccination?

Thanks for the question. Yes, the vaccine is available for ages 5 and up.

Osteomyelitis in foot?

Thanks for the question. It is possible there is an additional issue here. A fracture, bone tumor, foreign object, refractory infection, Tb or fungal infection, or other possibilities READ MORE
Thanks for the question. It is possible there is an additional issue here. A fracture, bone tumor, foreign object, refractory infection, Tb or fungal infection, or other possibilities exist. You should see a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon for further evaluation.

Puncture wound with a needle?

Thanks for the question. Your risk is infection from your own skin, generally Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, or from the cat - same organisms, Pasteurella. There is no risk of READ MORE
Thanks for the question. Your risk is infection from your own skin, generally Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, or from the cat - same organisms, Pasteurella. There is no risk of viral transmission except if the cat has rabies. Your doctor will recommend antibiotics and post-exposure rabies prophylaxis. I wish you the best.