Deep Neck Infections

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1. 

   S2 · E53 · 14 May 2026 · 52 min

   COVID-19

   Send us Fan Mail Ninja Nerds! In this episode of the Ninja Nerd Podcast, Zach and Rob walk you through a high-yield, case-based approach to COVID-19, built exactly the way you need it for exams and real clinical decision-making. Using three core cases, we break down how to recognize the disease, build a systematic diagnostic approach, and most importantly, match treatment to severity so you know exactly what to do in the moment. We start by building the clinical foundation with a patient pres...

2. 

   S2 · E52 · 7 May 2026 · 32 min

   Influenza

   Send us Fan Mail Ninja Nerds! In this episode of the Ninja Nerd Podcast, Zach and Rob walk you through a high-yield, case-based approach to influenza that goes far beyond “just the flu.” Using real clinical scenarios, we break down how this virus operates, who it hits hardest, and how to quickly recognize when a routine case is about to turn into something much more dangerous. We start with the foundation, understanding the viral structure and why influenza is so unpredictable. Through discus...

3. 

   S2 · E51 · 30 Apr 2026 · 44 min

   Tuberculosis

   Send us Fan Mail Ninja Nerds! In this episode of the Ninja Nerd Podcast, Zach and Rob break down tuberculosis as a high-yield clinical framework rather than a list of random facts, focusing on how tuberculosis is actually tested and managed on exams, wards, and in the intensive care unit. We begin with the classic active tuberculosis presentation and the first move that matters most, immediate airborne isolation. We then walk through how to confirm the diagnosis using the appropriate sequence...

4. 

   S2 · E49 · 23 Apr 2026 · 43 min

   Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs)

   Send us Fan Mail Ninja Nerds! In this episode of the Ninja Nerd Podcast, Zach and Rob break down upper respiratory tract infections using a simple, case-based approach that always starts the same way: decide if the patient is unstable. We define instability as the presence of bedside red flags such as stridor, hypoxia, drooling, tripod positioning, muffled voice, trismus, severe neck swelling, or hemodynamic instability. If any are present, airway management takes priority and imaging waits. ...

5. 

   S2 · E48 · 16 Apr 2026 · 45 min

   Laryngeal Infections

   Send us Fan Mail Ninja Nerds! In this episode of the Ninja Nerd Podcast, Zach and Rob tackle laryngeal infections, a high-risk group of conditions where the key challenge is recognizing impending airway compromise rather than simply choosing an antibiotic. The episode is built around a case-based algorithm that helps listeners rapidly sort benign hoarseness from life-threatening obstruction. The discussion begins with acute laryngitis, emphasizing hoarseness after a viral upper respiratory in...

6. 

   S2 · E46 · 2 Apr 2026 · 48 min

   Throat Infections

   Send us Fan Mail Ninja Nerds! In this episode of the Ninja Nerd Podcast, Zach and Rob deliver a high-yield, case-based breakdown of throat infections, focusing on how sore throat presentations should be approached on exams and in real clinical decision-making. Rather than memorizing organisms, the episode builds a clear mental framework to distinguish uncomplicated disease from airway-threatening and toxin-mediated conditions. The discussion begins with viral tonsillopharyngitis, highlighting...

7. 

   S2 · E44 · 26 Mar 2026 · 28 min

   Sinus Infections

   Send us Fan Mail Ninja Nerds! In this episode of the Ninja Nerd Podcast, Zach and Rob deliver a high-yield, case-based breakdown of sinus infections, focusing on how sinusitis is approached on exams and in real clinical decision-making. Rather than memorization, the episode builds a reusable mental algorithm that helps listeners determine when symptoms are viral, bacterial, complicated, or truly dangerous. The discussion begins with acute viral rhinosinusitis, using a classic early presentati...

8. 

   S2 · E43 · 19 Mar 2026 · 1 hr

   Ear Infections

   Send us Fan Mail Ninja Nerds! In this episode of the Ninja Nerd Podcast, Zach and Rob deliver a high-yield, case-based breakdown of ear infections, exactly how they appear on boards and on the wards. Using four classic clinical scenarios, they walk listeners through a practical, exam-ready approach to otalgia that emphasizes pattern recognition, red flags, and decisive next steps. The episode opens with a rapid framework for evaluating ear pain, focusing on red flags that mandate escalation, ...

9. 

   S2 · E42 · 12 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

   Eye Infections

   Send us Fan Mail Ninja Nerds! In this episode of the Ninja Nerd Podcast, Zach and Rob walk you through a systematic, case-based approach to eye infections that show up everywhere, on exams, in urgent care, and in the middle of the night in the ED. Red eyes, swollen lids, scary diagnoses, and the big question every clinician has to answer fast, is this safe to manage outpatient, or is this a sight or life-threatening emergency? We start with the most common scenario, a red eye with discharge b...

10. 

    S2 · E42 · 5 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

    CNS Infections

    Send us Fan Mail Ninja Nerds! In this episode, Rob and Zach dive into CNS infections and walk through how to build a simple framework to separate and identify meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscess, then link each one to its classic clinical clues, imaging findings, CSF patterns, and empiric treatment. Through high-yield case-based discussions, we cover when to obtain imaging before a lumbar puncture, how to interpret opening pressure, cell counts, glucose levels, and protein levels, and...