Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Children seem to pick up germs and infections every day. But when an infectious illness turns serious or becomes difficult to manage, count on UNC Children’s pediatric infectious diseases (ID) specialists. Our board-certified physicians have broad experience diagnosing and managing infections, including those that are rare or difficult to treat.

What We Treat

Pediatric Infections We Treat

Your child’s physician may suggest a consultation with a pediatric infectious diseases specialist when your child is experiencing a severe, recurrent or prolonged infection, such as:

Primary immune deficiency diseases (PIDD) – Inherited (genetic) defects in the body’s immune system

Secondary immune deficiency diseases – Compromised immune system due to a virus, chemotherapy, severe burns, or other factor
Encephalitis – Inflammation in the brain
Endocarditis – Inflammation in the heart’s inner lining
Enlarged lymph nodes – Swelling in the glands that help the body recognize and fight germs
Hepatitis – Inflammation in the liver
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – Damages or kills the body’s immune system cells
Meningitis – Inflammation of tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Mononucleosis – Viral infection causing fever, sore throat and swollen lymph glands
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) – Bacterial infection that’s resistant to common antibiotics
Osteomyelitis – Bone infection
Persistent fever of unknown origin (FUO)
Pneumonia – Lung infection
Septicemia – Bacterial infection in the blood
Septic arthritis – Joint infection

Children are commonly referred for outpatient evaluation at UNC Children’s outpatient center on the ground floor of N.C. Children’s Hospital, our clinical home in Chapel Hill. Those with more serious or difficult-to-treat infections are typically admitted to be evaluated in the inpatient setting.

In addition to providing the most up-to-date treatments for complicated infections, UNC Children’s infectious diseases specialists also actively promote preventative strategies, including vaccines and infection control methods.

HIV Program

Pediatric & Adolescent HIV Program

At UNC Medical Center, you’ll find compassionate care for babies, children, and teens who have been exposed to or are infected with HIV. Your child will benefit from coordinated medical care for all HIV-infected family members at the UNC Adult-Children’s Infectious Disease Clinic, located on the ground floor of N.C. Memorial Hospital.

We’ll take the time to get to you know your child and your family, so we can provide the best treatments and services to:

Control the HIV infection
Enrich your child’s nutrition and development
Address emotional and spiritual issues
Enhance your child’s quality of life

Because we belong to the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group and the UNC Center for AIDS Research (UNC CFAR), your child may have an opportunity to participate in national and international clinical trials and access promising new HIV therapies.

Teen Survives Life-Threatening Infection

Austin Campbell, 16, thought nothing of a superficial scratch on his leg until tissue around the scab begin to swell and drain. A doctor prescribed antibiotics, but less than 24 hours later, Austin developed a fever and could barely move. Doctors diagnosed him with septic shock—a body-wide infection that causes dangerously low blood pressure and poor organ function—and transferred him to N.C. Children’s Hospital. There, over the course of 11 surgeries, his care team saved his leg—and his life.