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Conditions We Treat

Infectious Diseases

An infection is caused when a virus, bacteria, fungus or parasite enters your body. (Prions can also – but rarely do – cause infections). Infections can range from the common cold to more uncommon illnesses such as tuberculosis or malaria. These agents typically get into your body from the outside, often from other people, insects, animals or contaminated food, water or soil. Some infections also arise from bacteria that are already on or in you.

Most of the time, a child's immune system is able to do the work to rid your body of the infection. However, sometimes you might need treatment with an antibiotic. When things are more complicated or when infection is not responding to initial treatment, you (or your child) will need to see a pediatric infectious diseases specialist.

Our team at Phoenix Children’s has a wide range of experience diagnosing and treating many common and rare infectious diseases, including in children who develop an infection as a complication from other diseases. These infections may develop in the setting of cancer treatments, bone marrow transplantation, organ transplantation, certain heart conditions, immune disorders and many pediatric diseases.

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