Category Infectious Disease

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for Children, Maybe Not a Magic Pill

Tamiflu for Kids

Making a patient feel better is empowering and rejuvenates our professional spirits. This is why we all love taking care of the patient with a Patellar Dislocation, Shoulder Dislocation, or a Nursemaid’s elbow. Obviously, administering Adenosine for SVT can make you…

Ludwig’s Angina in Children

Ludwig's Angina in Children

Pediatric head and neck infections are encountered commonly in the Emergency Department. While most often these will be relatively simple (although still annoying to the patient and family) like Acute Otitis Media, Otitis Externa, Sinusitis, or Pharyngitis, they can also become…

Central Line and Fever

Central Line and Fever

Yes. It is indubitable. Children will present for evaluation of fever. Many, if not most, will be well and likely have a self-limited illness (but, do NOT say “it’s just a virus”!). Some, however, will have fevers associated with other…

Poor Utility of WBC Count for the Evaluation of Fever

WBC Count is Last Bastion of Intellectually Destitute

When I was a resident (Not that long ago people! Come on!!), I was taught by Dr. Mattu (@amalmattu) that the WBC Count is “the last bastion of the intellectually destitute.” These words were meant to encourage me to avoid…

Acute Cerebellar Ataxia

Cerebellar Ataxia

Hooven animals are complicated creatures (just like humans). They can be majestic, but rambunctious. They can be wild, yet tamed. In medicine, we often try to distinguish between them: Horses versus Zebras. While searching among the horses for the zebras,…

Benign Acute Childhood Myositis

Previously, we have discussed the potential counterproductive effects of saying the phrase “It’s just a virus.” Aside from the perception that their child’s illness is “no big deal,” this phrase is also inaccurate as it implies that viral illness is…

Neonatal Mastitis

Neonatal Mastitis

We have previously discussed my distrust of neonates (ALTE, BRUE) and this may be why so many of the Morsels focus on neonatal issues. Recently a dear friend, colleague, and full-time appreciator of UMMS Shock Trauma Pink Scrubs, Dr. Jessica…