Dr. Booth Wainscoat
Infectious Disease
Hartford, CT
22 years experience male
Locations
Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT
About
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Infectious Disease
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
70 Answers
7 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Women also pose risk: All people with HIV regardless of their gender can transmit the virus through unprotected sex. While specific sexual activities may vary slightly, any... Read More
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Yes: As with any area of health care, being well informed of risks & ways to modify behavior to avoid illness is crucial. Learning how std's are transmitte... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
No: Many antibiotics require ideal conditions in the stomach in order to be adequately absorbed and fight infection. Antacids will interfere with the effe... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
It depends: A variety of infectious diseases can be transmitted after a tick bite. The most common in the U.S. Is lyme disease. 200mg of Doxycycline taken within ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
The smallpox virus: Smallpox virus - also called poxvirus variolae - is the cause of smallpox. In the case of naturally occuring smallpox (ie. Not including bioterrorism)... Read More
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Very rarely: There are many infections which can result from a tick bite. In the USA, lyme disease is by far the most common tick associated infection. There have ... Read More
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Difficult to say: The best evidence comes from measuring larvae in the organs (liver, brain, eye) of mice after feeding them toxocara eggs. The liver may be infected as... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Yes: Influenza a, b & c are genetically distinct viruses.Infection with a or b produces near identical diseases which are treated similarly.Influenza c is ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Yes: Tonsillitis can result from either bacteria or viruses. Generally, both of these may be transmitted from one person to another & lead to swelling of t... Read More
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
It depends: Humira (adalimumab) & other anti-tnf therapies have been associated with an increased risk for developing infection. It is recommended that all patien... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Special testing: Pneumonia is a general term for any lung infection caused by a variety of pathogens (bacteria, virus, fungus or parasites). Tuberculosis (TB) is a ver... Read More
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
It depends: Infection within the lungs (pneumonia) involves 2 basic principles: an infectious pathogen (bacteria, virus, fungus or parasite) and a failure of the ... Read More
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Various reasons: Pseudomonas is a very common bacteria which has developed many clever ways of resisting different antibiotics. It can destroy the antibiotics with che... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Not exactly: Most e. Coli infections arise from 'friendly' bacteria in our colon.These e. Coli escape & cause routine infections in our blood, bladder or lung. E. ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Many things: #1 is prevention of influenza with vaccination, proper hand hygiene & cough etiquette.Early diagnosis of flu & treatment within the first 48 hours of ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Unlikely but possibl: One to 17 of every 100, 000 menstruating women and girls will get tss each year. This is the statistic that some tampon manufactures use in their info... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
It depends.: Doctors select specific antibiotics for specific time periods depending on the type of infection. Most antibiotics are given for <2 wks. Antibiotic us... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Not exactly: Hiv causes a chronic infection for which there is no current cure. With HIV medication patients can expereince a longer disease free life. However thi... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Not exactly: Most cold sores are caused by a virus while most impetigo is due to bacteria such as staphylococcus. One does not lead to the other. However, if you h... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
#1: Call your doctor: And stop the alcohol.Several antibiotics do not mix well with alcohol such as metronidazole, tinidazole & bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim).... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
No: The screening test to detect HIV antibodies is among the most accurate & sensitive diagnostic tests in medicine. There is no significant change in det... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
It depends: Many different antibiotics exist.Each has unique side effects & interactions. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist about the specific antibioti... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Tropical virus: Dengue fever is a common tropical viral infection occurring after a single mosquito bite.There are >100 countries where dengue is active.Most initial ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
From bacteria: Most 'boils' are due to staphylococcus bacteria infecting the skin.Pus forms below the skin which swells to form a painful boil.Sometimes streptococci... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Various.: There are no specific skin findings unique to hiv. Some people develop red, flaky or waxy skin changes along their hairline or face called seborrhea. ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Yes I can :): Fever results from a chemical cascade in response to a pyrogen. Infection causes the release of pyrogens which in turn cause the body to produce a che... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
It depends: There are many different types of staph infections - some are serious & require hospitalization.Most staph infections are skin related.These can vary ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Not exactly: Various infections may be spread following tick bites - the most common is lyme disease. Amoxicillin (not penicillin) is approved for treating confirm... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Very rarely: Most of the microbes (i.e. Bacteria or viruses) which cause infectious gastroenteritis generally are only attracted to the gastrointestinal (GI) syste... Read More
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Eating Toxocara eggs: Toxocariasis is one of the most common parasitic infections in the world. It is acquired by ingesting the embryonated eggs or larvae of the toxocara p... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Usually safe: Most routine antibiotics can be combined with antiviral medicine when used for short periods of time. Taking any antibiotic for >2 weeks usually requi... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Not yet: No antibiotics are approved for use against west nile virus. Attempts at using ribavirin, immunoglobulins & interferons to treat wnv patients have bee... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Antibiotic pressure: When bacteria are exposed to antibiotics the strongest bacteria survive. Strength is gained by genetic mutations & by acquiring resistance genes from ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Yes, many: Some people who live or visit areas with lyme disease may be diagnosed with lyme disease on the basis of the characteristic lyme rash. In the absence ... Read More
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Yes: There are several reasons why MRSA infections of the skin return. Chronic skin conditions such as eczema & psoriasis may promote repeat MRSA infection... Read More
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
It depends: There are >6 different antibiotic pill options for treating MRSA & >6 intravenous antibiotic options.The best antibiotic depends on the severity of th... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Dangerous bacteria: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) are bacteria found in various livestock (cows, swine, etc) which can lead to dangerous food borne illness.Recent ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Yes: Routine daily vitamin supplements are safe to take with bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim). Supplements to avoid while taking Bactrim (sulfam... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Get tested: Repeated infections in a young person suggests a weakness in the immune system. Some immunodeficiencies are genetic & show up in early adulthood. Othe... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Often within 60 days: Most cases of c.Diff colitis occur within 2 weeks of taking antibiotics. Almost all (90%) of cases of c.Diff colitis occur within 60 days of taking a... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Sore throat: Chlamydia infection of the mouth and throat is rare. Most sexually transmitted chlamydia infections affect the genitals. A throat infection with chlam... Read More
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 51-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Very unlikely: Recurrent uti's occur but a permanent UTI is very unlikely. Other diseases can mimic a UTI such as interstitial cystitis, polycystic kidney disease, l... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Dont wait for signs: Aids is the final stage of HIV infection that puts a person at risk for life threatening infections & cancers.The best way to know if aids is approach... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
A common virus: 'herpes' = herpes simplex (hsv): the virus that causes oral & genital blisters. Hsv is a common std. After infection with HSV the virus hides in senso... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Let's hope so: Neuraminidase inhibitors (nai's) are the only reliable antivirals used to treat human influenza. Approved nai's include oseltamivir (tamiflu) & zanami... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Not proven: True cfs (chronic fatigue syndrome) is a disorder with no proven cause.Recent scientific studies found an association between some cfs & xmrv - a 'new... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Absolutely: The 'stigma' of std's can be more distressing than the actual std. Become educated about your std. Participate in support groups & consider becoming a... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Its complicated: 2 factors promote pyelonephritis. 1) bacteria must invade the kidney. 2) a person's immune system must fail to some degree. Bactereia are common in th... Read More
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
No: Incubation period refers to the duration after which a person is transmitted a pathogen (i.e. Virus or bacteria) until the infection is apparent. Stev... Read More
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Booth Wainscoatanswered
Infectious Disease 22 years experience
Yes: Meningitis is a general term which refers to any process resulting in inflammation or swelling of the lining of the brain or spinal cord. Meningococca... Read More
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
345
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Wainscoat is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Wainscoat is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I cant get treatment for my lyme. Dr's wont talk about it in canada.
HealthTap member
thank you so much 3anti neg 2wk 1month 2 months and a p24 waiting on rna results know something tomorrow
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thank you for expert opinion you are very appreciate it
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, ME
Graduated 2000MD
Medical/Graduate school
UNECOM
Graduated 2000MD
Awards
HealthTap ClubMD
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less