Dr. Gary Overturf MD
Infectious Disease Specialist | Infectious Disease
3rd Ambulatory Care Ctr 2211 Lomas Blvd. Ne Albuquerque NM, 87131About
Gary D. Overturf, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, is a Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist with over 30 years experience in his field. He is currently serving patients at the University of New Mexico Hospital in New Mexico while also on staff as a Professor teaching Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. After earning his medical degree in 1969 from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Dr. Overturf completed his internship and fellowship at the University of Southern California. In order to stay up to date in his field, he maintains a professional membership with several associations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Society for Microbiology.
Education and Training
Univ of Nm Sch of Med, Albuquerque Nm 1969
Board Certification
PediatricsAmerican Board of PediatricsABP
Provider Details
Dr. Gary Overturf MD's Expert Contributions
Can I take the flu shot after having COVID-19?
There should be no problem in having a flu shot after COVID-19, but it would be best to await until 2-3 weeks after recovery or diagnosis of COVID-19 before you get the flu shot. Also, you should try to get the flu shot before the end of October at the latest. READ MORE
Where I can enter my parent's house without exposing them?
First, always wear a mask and keep at least 6-12 feet away. It would be best, if weather permits, to meet outside and still wear a mask and keep at least 6 feet distant. If you choose to meet inside, any entrance should be okay. It's what you do that is risky, like not hugging, kissing, shaking hands, and distancing and mask wearing when visiting them. READ MORE
Covid-19?
Unfortunately, we cannot say with any certainty what level of antibodies will be protective...it's likely you will be immune for awhile, but we also have no idea of how long you will be immune to another attack. READ MORE
Does a cold sore mean herpes?
Herpes simplex is the cause of fever blisters. Herpes is a nearly universal infection, although most people are asymptomatic but will shed the virus periodically from their mouth, but be unaware of it. So, it is likely that someone in your family had contact with you daughter when they were shedding the virus... it could have come from a symptomatic or asymptomatic person. READ MORE
Should I be worried about cholera?
Cholera is still in the world, although most of South America is not highly infected. It is transmitted by drinking or exposure to infected water sources or by exposure to another infected persons stools. I would be very careful if you are in primitive settings and would drink only boiled water and avoid contact with persons who have diarrhea or stomach discomfort. READ MORE
Malaria transmission?
Malaria is transmitted only from female mosquitoes who are caring the virus. In most states, malaria is reportable to the health department. Since many states have mosquitoes which could transmit infection, your colleague should take precautions from getting bitten by mosquitoes, but he is not a risk to other persons. READ MORE
Do infections also cause inflammation in the body?
I cannot make a complete answer to your question. Inflammation is a normal response to any infection and is most concentrated at the major point of the infection..in your case the bronchial tubes. Generalized inflammation occurs with auto immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or generalized viral or bacterial infections. This would take more evaluation by your physician. READ MORE
Symptoms of covid-19?
Children are often asymptomatic, but can have fever, cough, headache and fatigue and sometimes diarrhea. Fever and headache are the most common symptoms. Children can also have post - C0VID 19 symptoms and severe multiple organ involvement with heart, lung and kidney symptoms as well as rash, fever etc. READ MORE
Covid?
Chronic, long lasting symptoms are thought to be common in about 30% of patients who have been infected. Headache and chronic fatigue and symptoms of shortness of breath are very common...these symptoms may persist for weeks or months. Many patients even months later after COVID - 19 just do not feel right. Treatment is only symptomatic which your doctor would need to provide. READ MORE
To test if you have covid?
Limited testing for antibodies is available, but the testing is still not widely available and the interpretation of the test is controversial, since many of the tests are plagued by false positives and false negatives...which means, that neither a positive or negative test will mark you are immune or not immune. It general, these tests cannot be used to determine if you protected. READ MORE
COVID-19 Testing?
Your age alone puts you at risk. The allergy shots would probably not put you at greater risk. In general, we do not allow patient over 60 to 65 to be in direct contact with known or suspected COVID 19 carriers...so unless there is very good personal protective equipment, we would not recommend that patients your age do swabbing for COVID 19 on outpatients. READ MORE
COVID-19 Mass Burials on Hart Island?
Viruses are primarily large complex collections of a few molecules; they are destroyed by chemical degradation, so they breakdown would be gradual. Outside of a living body on in a dead body, survival of the virus might be a week or two, similar to what how they survive on metal, plastic, cardboard etc. READ MORE
How is the herpes virus treated?
I assume that the question is specifically for Herpes simplex infection which is the cause of fever blisters and occasionally other skin infections. Many Herpes simplex infections are recurrent due to the fact that the virus is latent and remains in nerve tissue for the life of a person who is infected and will periodically recur to an active infection. There are drugs which are helpful in invasive infections such as acyclovir, but these drugs have a minimal role in localized recurrent skin infections and are generally not recommended unless symptoms are severe. They may slightly shorten the duration of the infections, but only minimally. There are medications available for over the counter medicines which can be applied to the blisters directly, and these also may minimize the duration of the sores and make the infection more tolerable; these can be obtained at pharmacies and can up the blister like lessions and will shorten the course of herpes. Dr. Gary Overturf READ MORE
Internships
- University of Southern California
Fellowships
- University of Southern California
Professional Society Memberships
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, American Society for Microbiology
Philanthropic Initiatives
Hobbies / Sports
- Bicycling, Musician for the Albuquerque Band
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