Children's Hospital Colorado
Infectious Diseases

Infectious Diseases

Kids aren’t just mini adults. In fact, they’re incredibly different. That’s why they need incredibly different care.

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What is an infectious disease?

Infectious diseases can range from common illnesses such as the cold, to serious illnesses such as meningitis or AIDS. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an infectious disease is caused by one or more of the following: 

  • Viruses
  • Bacteria  
  • Parasites 
  • Fungi  

What causes infectious diseases?

Depending on the disease-causing organism, an infection can spread in some or all of the following ways: 

  • Airborne transmission: transmission of an infection through inhaling airborne droplets of the disease, which may exist in the air as a result of a cough or sneeze from an infected person
  • Blood-borne transmission: transmission of an infection through contact with infected blood, such as when sharing hypodermic needles
  • Direct skin contact: transmission of an infection through contact with the skin of an infected person
  • Insect-borne transmission: transmission of an infection through insects such as mosquitoes that draw blood from an infected person and then bite a healthy person
  • Food-borne transmission: transmission of an infection through consuming contaminated food 
  • Water-borne transmission: transmission of an infection through contact with contaminated water
  • Sexual transmission: transmission of an infection through sexual contact, including intercourse

What you need to know about COVID-19

From mental health resources to the latest on the COVID vaccines, we've compiled information families need to help kids through the pandemic.

Learn the latest

Next steps

Compassionate care, wherever you are

We’re here when you need us. Telehealth appointments are available across every specialty, so you can get the high-quality care we’ve always offered from the comfort, privacy and convenience of home.

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Get to know our pediatric experts.

Justin Searns, MD

Justin Searns, MD

Infectious Disease - Pediatric, Pediatrics

Why?

Christy Smith-Anderson, MD

Christy Smith-Anderson, MD

Infectious Disease - Pediatric, Pediatrics

Why?

Sara Saporta-Keating, MD

Sara Saporta-Keating, MD

Infectious Disease - Pediatric, Pediatrics

Why?

Mark Abzug, MD

Mark Abzug, MD

Infectious Disease - Pediatric, Pediatrics

Why?