The Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Rush provides consultation for diagnosis and treatment of any and all suspected infectious diseases in children. We have particular expertise in caring for congenital and perinatal infections, orthopedic infections, cardiovascular infections, pulmonary infections and Lyme disease.

Symptoms of a serious infection include prolonged fevers of unknown origin, recurrent or particularly severe infections, arthritis or limb pain, suspicion of infection acquired during pregnancy or the birth process or failure to respond to antibiotic therapy.

Members of the section participate in research trials of treatments for children with HIV infection and AIDS, and collaborate on research projects with colleagues in the Hemophilia and Thrombophilia Center, the Cystic Fibrosis Center and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

In addition to diagnostic and therapeutic services for infectious diseases, the Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases offers:

• Travel medicine: Members of the section provide consultation regarding appropriate immunizations or preventive measures for foreign travel involving families with children. We can provide immunizations against typhoid, rabies, hepatitis, Japanese B encephalitis, meningococcal disease, and /or yellow fever; provide complete international vaccination certificates; and counsel on preventing malaria and traveler’s diarrhea.
• HIV/AIDS treatment: As part of the Rush/Cook County Center for Research and Education in Infectious Diseases (CORE Center), we provide comprehensive care for children with perinatally acquired HIV infection. We can also determine whether an infant has been exposed to or infected with HIV and provide preventive and therapeutic medications that are the latest available, either by prescription or through participation in national studies (Pediatric AIDS Clinical Study Group (PACTG) of the National Institutes of Health). Services include multidisciplinary care for mothers and children with HIV/AIDS.
• Toxoplasmosis care: As part of the Chicago Collaborative Toxoplasmosis Study Group (CCTSG) we provide comprehensive care for children with congenital toxoplasmosis. We can also determine whether a pregnant woman, newborn or child has toxoplasmosis and provide multidisciplinary care and treatment. The CCTSG is an international referral center that provides a level of expertise and care available nowhere else in the United States.

• James B. McAuley, MD, DTMH, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics; Assistant Professor of Medicine; and Director, Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Kenneth M. Boyer, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, and Chairman, Department of Pediatrics