Fever Fever is defined as a centrally mediated rise of body temperature above normal daily variation in response to various stimuli. , The classic definition for fever includes a rectal temperature ≥38°C (100.4°F). An excess of the body temperature above…
The human immune system has evolved to protect an individual from infectious microbes. It does this by using a complex interactive network of cells, proteins, and organs. Rapidly expanding research of inborn errors of immunity has taught us that despite…
More than 1.4 billion people travel internationally each year, approximately 10% of whom are children. Although travel can expose children to some risks, the benefits are many. A careful pretravel evaluation to provide appropriate guidance and preparation is critical to…
Chemoprophylaxis is prevention of disease by administration of an anti-infective drug product. An antimicrobial product is given to an individual who is at risk of developing an infection following exposure to bacteria, viruses, fungi, mycobacteria, or parasites. The term “prophylaxis”…
Immunization and Vaccines: Overview Immunization is the process of artificially inducing immunity or providing protection from disease. Active immunization is the process of stimulating the body to produce antibody and other immune responses (e.g., cell-mediated immunity) through administration of a…
Immunoglobulin therapy plays an increasingly important role in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, not only to prevent or ameliorate infection but also because of antiinflammatory and immunomodulating effects. Passive immunization provides exogenous, preformed antibodies that can prevent…
In this chapter, the infectious disease issues of 2 groups of immigrants are discussed: refugees and internationally adopted children. Refugees are noncitizen immigrants who are unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin because of persecution or a…
On average, 12.5 million (61%) of the 20.4 million children in the United States who are younger than 5 years of age were enrolled in a regular childcare arrangement during the spring of 2011. Children in group childcare experience increased…
Pediatric healthcare epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution (who, when, where) of patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in healthcare settings where children receive healthcare or gather in locations where disease conditions could be present.…
Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease or other health-related states or events in specified populations and the application of this study to the control of health problems. A key component of this definition is that…