Conditions treated by the Infectious Diseases department

The Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Infectious Diseases department provides clinical expertise in the diagnosis and management of unusual and complicated infections, tropical diseases and children with HIV infection and AIDS.

HIV

A major part of the service is dedicated to the care of HIV infected children.

Services offered by the HIV team include:

  • Testing of babies and children for HIV including pre- and post-test counselling.
  • Full investigations, monitoring and treatment of children with HIV and AIDS.
  • Support to child, family and carers.
  • Support, advice, information and training on paediatric HIV infection.
  • Transitioning of young HIV positive people to adult services.
  • Combined clinics with the young adult 'TEAM' clinic from Mortimer Market.
  • Shared care with local district general hospitals and paediatricians.
  • Providing links with community health services and other support agencies.

Tuberculosis (TB)

The Infectious Diseases team look after children with complicated TB (eg TB meningitis and mycobacterial infections in immunocompromised children) and NTM (non tuberculous mycobacterium). There is a twice monthly clinic dedicated to management of patients infected with TB run by the infectious diseases consultant and a clinical nurse specialist responsible for tuberculosis.

Chronic hepatitis B and C

Children with Hepatitis B and C are seen in a twice monthly specialist clinic which is run by the infectious diseases consultant, virology consultant and clinical nurse specialist. A particular focus of the service is the care of viral hepatitis in the context of immunodeficiency.

Congenital infections

The infectious diseases team provide regional expertise for babies and young infants with a range of congenital infections include CMV, HSV, syphilis and toxoplasmosis. Patients are seen in a monthly clinic and advice provided to paediatric teams across the region.

Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS – TS)

The infectious diseases team lead a multidisciplinary service that looks after inpatients who have been referred with PIMS-TS from regional units and provides long term follow up for children in a monthly outpatient clinic (PIMS-TS).

Central Nervous System (CNS) infections

The infectious diseases team work closely with the neurology service to look after children with complex infections of the brain and nervous system as inpatients and provide ongoing care in the outpatient setting.

Fungal infections

The infectious diseases provide clinical expertise for inpatients with complex fungal infections and advice to paediatricians across the region.

Periodic fever/vasculitis

The infectious diseases team works closely with rheumatology and nephrology to provide care for patients with periodic fevers and vasculitis. Patients are seen in specialist multi-disciplinary clinics.

Recurrent infections

The Infectious Diseases team has a major interest in the management and causes of recurrent infections and will provide expertise with a range of specialities across the hospital.

Tropical infections

The Infectious Disease team provides regional expertise in the management of children who have travelled and return with suspected or confirmed infection. This includes acute infections such as Malaria, Typhoid and tropical viral infections such as Dengue, and Chikungunya.