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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

Sex health question?

Thanks for the question. Cold sore Herpes is not very dangerous. However, it is associated with oral and anal malignancies. If you both take a dose of Valacyclovir before contact, READ MORE
Thanks for the question. Cold sore Herpes is not very dangerous. However, it is associated with oral and anal malignancies. If you both take a dose of Valacyclovir before contact, you will be largely protected. You should both be screened for HIV and other STDs. Ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine. Use protection!

Can Hypolri be caused by tick bites?

Thanks for the question. No, H pylori are not acquired from a tick bite. It is from food or hand contact.

HPV diagnosis?

Thanks for sharing. I am sorry to heat it. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment. You are contagious by direct contact.

Is the COVID vaccine safe during pregnancy?

Thanks for the question. It is absolutely safe in pregnancy. Risks are the same as if you were not pregnant, and protection extends to the baby.

Can you catch trichomoniasis other than sexual activity?

Thanks for the question. You can't catch trichomonas from a toilet seat. But you can from unprotected sex. Condoms can protect.

Vaccination question?

Thanks for the question. There is no risk, other than those with the vaccine itself, regardless of your history. You need one booster dose of any of the available vaccines.

Chlamydia treatment?

Yes, you are clear of it. Please be sure you were tested for other STDs! Ask your doctor.

COVID-19 Rapid Test vs PCR Test?

Thanks for the question. You do have it. The specimen has to be properly collected, and the PCR takes several days to turn positive. If you repeat it properly now, it should READ MORE
Thanks for the question. You do have it. The specimen has to be properly collected, and the PCR takes several days to turn positive. If you repeat it properly now, it should be confirmed.

Lower back pain?

This is not likely due to the virus alone. If it persists, call your doctor. A neuritis or nerve compression may be involved.

I want another medical personal advice?

Thanks for the question. Cefixime generally does work on gonorrhea, but not on other STDs that cause urethritis, such as Chlamydia and Ureaplasma. Your boyfriend needs to see READ MORE
Thanks for the question.
Cefixime generally does work on gonorrhea, but not on other STDs that cause urethritis, such as Chlamydia and Ureaplasma. Your boyfriend needs to see his doctor for tests and exam.

Question about Lyme disease?

Thanks for the question. Lyme cannot absolutely be ruled out, but statistically this is not Lyme. There are multiple other possibilities, some Infectious, some not. Please see READ MORE
Thanks for the question.
Lyme cannot absolutely be ruled out, but statistically this is not Lyme. There are multiple other possibilities, some Infectious, some not. Please see an Infectious Disease specialist for more complete work-up.

HSV 1 Positive IGG?

Thanks for the question. HSV 1 traditionally causes cold sores. However, it is most often without symptoms. It is spread by direct contact - skin to skin. So it can cause genital READ MORE
Thanks for the question.
HSV 1 traditionally causes cold sores. However, it is most often without symptoms. It is spread by direct contact - skin to skin. So it can cause genital or oral blisters or ulcers. It hides out in nerve cells, and can come out with fever or stress any time after the initial infection, even years later. But it generally is not contagious except when a blister or ulcer is evident. There are local and systemic treatments, but no permanent cure.

Is this infected?

Thanks for the question. If there is no fever, pain, or spread, wash with soap and water, and place antiseptic cream or ointment on it. Clean and repeat every 12 hours for 3 READ MORE
Thanks for the question.
If there is no fever, pain, or spread, wash with soap and water, and place antiseptic cream or ointment on it. Clean and repeat every 12 hours for 3 or 4 days. See a doctor if it spreads or worsens.

COVID question?

Thanks for the question. Unfortunately, the immune cytokines can kick in for a few weeks after initial infection, but they may not. You are contagious up to 12 days or so, as READ MORE
Thanks for the question.
Unfortunately, the immune cytokines can kick in for a few weeks after initial infection, but they may not. You are contagious up to 12 days or so, as well. But the CDC guidelines say you can be out in public if you wear an N95 mask.

SARS-CoV-2 AB IgG Interpretation?

Thanks for the question. You remain immune. Despite that, it isn't clear if this level is high enough to affect Omicron significantly. CDC still recommends the booster vaccine. READ MORE
Thanks for the question.
You remain immune. Despite that, it isn't clear if this level is high enough to affect Omicron significantly. CDC still recommends the booster vaccine.

Lyme disease, no symptoms?

Thanks for the question. Lyme disease can have a long latent period without symptoms followed by a tertiary phase with joint or neurological symptoms. If never treated, it should READ MORE
Thanks for the question.
Lyme disease can have a long latent period without symptoms followed by a tertiary phase with joint or neurological symptoms. If never treated, it should be treated.

Travel plans?

Thanks for the question. I applaud your attention to risk and care for each other and others around you. Your travel preparations are more than adequate. You can test with a READ MORE
Thanks for the question.
I applaud your attention to risk and care for each other and others around you. Your travel preparations are more than adequate. You can test with a rapid test before each public encounter, and protect yourselves and others by wearing an N95 mask, new one each day, and distancing when possible. Be prepared for potential quarantine if positive - adequate meds and necessities.
Good luck!

I have a rash on my big toe that is scaring me?

Thanks for the question. The mouth blister is a stress reaction, possibly cold sore-type Herpes simplex. The toe looks like a bruise, but could be a hemorrhagic lesion. Unfortunately, READ MORE
Thanks for the question.
The mouth blister is a stress reaction, possibly cold sore-type Herpes simplex. The toe looks like a bruise, but could be a hemorrhagic lesion. Unfortunately, you will need to show it to a doctor, either orthopedic or a dermatologist.

Vaccine in-between vaccines?

Thanks for the question.
In fact, it is quite safe.

HIV/AIDS concern?

Thanks for the question. It would help ease your mind if you were tested after 2 weeks for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, then please use protection in the future. READ MORE
Thanks for the question.
It would help ease your mind if you were tested after 2 weeks for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, then please use protection in the future. If you are not vaccinated for HPV, you should consider obtaining the vaccine, as well as updating all your vaccines.