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.

Learn More About Me

Dr. Elliot Francke

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Northwestern University
Accepting new patients

My Latest Posts
My Answers

Should I go to an after hours clinic?

Thanks for the question. There are several viruses that cause this condition. Most likely, you have hand-foot-mouth disease, caused by Coxsackie A virus, but others are possible. READ MORE

Thanks for the question.
There are several viruses that cause this condition. Most likely, you have hand-foot-mouth disease, caused by Coxsackie A virus, but others are possible. Culture can be done to rule out Strep Group A and other bacteria, and a test for Herpes viruses can be done, but the pattern of distribution makes these unlikely. If you have had oral sexual contact, there are additional possibilities. For the viruses, treatment is symptomatic, with special gargles and mouthwash available. Please ask your doctor, or try an urgent center.

Sore throat and covid?

Thanks for the question. If this is her only symptom, she should have a routine throat culture for a bacterial or yeast superinfection of the viral pharyngitis. Then there are READ MORE

Thanks for the question.
If this is her only symptom, she should have a routine throat culture for a bacterial or yeast superinfection of the viral pharyngitis. Then there are throat sprays or gargles containing anesthetics that could help. Please relay this thought to her doctor.

Should I self quarantine and if so, how long?

Thanks for the question. Although the CDC site says if you are boosted, you do not need to quarantine, my concern is that even boosted vaccine does not prevent acquisition of READ MORE

Thanks for the question.
Although the CDC site says if you are boosted, you do not need to quarantine, my concern is that even boosted vaccine does not prevent acquisition of the virus. It does protect against severe disease. I would therefore quarantine for 7 days if you remain without symptoms.

How do you know if you have gangrene?

Thanks for the question.
There are small areas of blackening, which might require debridement, and this large, open wound needs attention. Please notify your surgeon.

Taking Plaquenil?

Thanks for the question.
You do not need to stop.

Covid timeline?

Thanks for the question.
You are correct. What you should know to help with the decision is that Covid is transmissible 12 days after the onset of symptoms.

Post covid symptoms?

Thanks for the question. You should see your doctor. If the joint pains originated with the Covid infection, then they are due to long Covid, with excessive immune activation. READ MORE

Thanks for the question.
You should see your doctor. If the joint pains originated with the Covid infection, then they are due to long Covid, with excessive immune activation. There are some treatments for that. If not related to the time of infection, then there is a differential diagnosis including multiple different types of arthritis that your doctor or a rheumatologist can distinguish. Also your doctor can design a treatment regimen safest for you.

I am wondering if I should be tested for an STD?

Thanks for the question. Some STDs are spread by direct contact, but those spread through the penis are prevented by condom use. You should be tested for syphilis, oral gonorrhea READ MORE

Thanks for the question. Some STDs are spread by direct contact, but those spread through the penis are prevented by condom use. You should be tested for syphilis, oral gonorrhea or chlamydia if you have had that type of contact, and consider an HPV vaccine if you have not had one, and possibly Hepatitis testing. Please discuss with your doctor.

Direct contact with a rat and a finger cut?

Thanks for the question. Since you don't know this isn't a bite, you will need to consider rabies and tetanus vaccines. Wash the site with soap and water and apply triple antibiotic READ MORE

Thanks for the question.
Since you don't know this isn't a bite, you will need to consider rabies and tetanus vaccines. Wash the site with soap and water and apply triple antibiotic as well. Please contact your doctor.

Polymyaglia condition?

Thanks for the question.
Prolonged polymyalgia is not due to the vaccine. Please see your doctor. You may receive the booster.

Possibly tape worm infection?

Thanks for the question.
Please see your doctor. If this is due to worms, they can be treated. If not, the cause needs to be determined.

Covid-19 vaccine exemption?

Thanks for the question. It is not clear if your reaction to the Vancomycin was due to the drug itself or the stabilizer polyethylene glycol, but I agree with your concern. I READ MORE

Thanks for the question.
It is not clear if your reaction to the Vancomycin was due to the drug itself or the stabilizer polyethylene glycol, but I agree with your concern. I have offered medical exemptions in this circumstance.

What is this rash from?

Thanks for the question. I would have to see the rash, but if it itches, it is most likely hives. If not, retest for Lyme. If negative, you would have to consider forms of tinea, READ MORE

Thanks for the question.
I would have to see the rash, but if it itches, it is most likely hives. If not, retest for Lyme. If negative, you would have to consider forms of tinea, lupus, secondary syphilis, fungi other than tinea, a host of non-infectious diseases, even mycosis fungoides, which is malignant. It would be best to see a dermatologist.

Rabies fear?

Thanks for the question. If the dog is healthy at 10 days, you are very likely safe. But you should clean the scratch carefully, apply triple antibiotic ointment, and check READ MORE

Thanks for the question.
If the dog is healthy at 10 days, you are very likely safe. But you should clean the scratch carefully, apply triple antibiotic ointment, and check your tetanus vaccine status.

Covid vaccination side effects?

Thanks for the question. These symptoms indicate that you are responding to the vaccine. They should subside within a week or so. If not, that would be the time to see your READ MORE

Thanks for the question.
These symptoms indicate that you are responding to the vaccine. They should subside within a week or so. If not, that would be the time to see your doctor, or earlier if it worsens instead of improving.

Is it EBV or CMV?

Thanks for the question. This is a complicated list of symptoms. There is a long differential diagnosis. Considerations include more than viruses. There are diseases like lupus, READ MORE

Thanks for the question.
This is a complicated list of symptoms. There is a long differential diagnosis. Considerations include more than viruses. There are diseases like lupus, syphilis, certain forms of leukemia and lymphoma, fungal infections, even hormonal diseases that can cause your precise combination of symptoms. Ask your doctor for a referral to either an infection specialist or hematologist.

Health Categories

Conditions

Health Journeys

Communities

Resources

Media

Medical Experts