AAP 2026 Conference Preview for Infectious Diseases Sessions

The 2026 annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is quickly approaching. From October 2 through October 6, in San Diego, California, the AAP National Conference and Exhibition is five days filled with hundreds of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and pediatric tech exhibits.

Today, we’re showcasing the currently scheduled sessions focused on pediatric infectious disease topics. All times and dates are accurate as of September 1, 2026. View the official AAP 2026 annual meeting program for the most up-to-date times and dates.

Infectious Diseases Sessions at AAP2026

Friday, October 2

• Recurrent Fever – How to Evaluate and When to Refer
  • 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
  • Description: This session addresses the evaluation of recurrent fever in children. It provides pediatricians with an evidence-based approach to initial assessment, emphasizing the recognition of clinical patterns that warrant referral for further evaluation of infectious, rheumatologic or other etiologies.

• Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis—Are We Testing and Treating Appropriately?
  • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Description: Overtesting and overtreatment of Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis contributes to antibiotic resistance and healthcare practice variation. This session reviews national and international data, diagnostic criteria, and practical strategies to standardize care, promote stewardship, and align pediatric testing and treatment with AAP, IDSA, and WHO recommendations.

• Vaccinating an Imperfect Immune System
  • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Description: Providing vaccines to children who have undergone cancer treatment, had transplants, or have other underlying immune deficiencies can be a challenge. This session will provide practical education and guidance to help the pediatrician determine when and how to vaccinate children with these complex immunologic considerations.

Saturday, October 3

• Challenging Cases in Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
  • Description: Pediatricians encounter a wide variety of infectious diseases. Recognition of infections and their management can be complex and time-consuming. This session will use case-based discussion to update pediatricians on ways infections may present in their practices.

• Vaccine Update: What’s New?
  • 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
  • Description: To provide the best patient care, pediatricians need to be aware of updates in vaccines. This session will discuss the current vaccine schedule, including updates that may be subtle.

• Section on Infectious Diseases Program: Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases
  • 1:00 PM – 4:50 PM
  • Description: Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases pose a significant health threat. Examples of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases include congenital syphilis, pertussis, measles, and cyclospora. Risk factors have been determined, and concomitant prevention strategies have been developed. Pediatricians need to be up to date regarding the epidemiology of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases as well as the prevention and management of these diseases.

Sunday, October 4

• Evaluation and Management of Pneumonia
  • 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
  • Description: This session will focus on the risk factors and epidemiology of viral and bacterial pneumonia. Faculty will discuss recommendations and guidelines on the diagnosis and management of community-acquired pneumonia, including when to consider pharmacologic treatment, imaging, blood cultures, and admission.

• Hepatitis B Vaccine: The Importance of the Birth Dose
  • 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
  • Description: While a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) has been routine for many years, recently the possibility of changing the initiation of hepatitis B vaccination to as late as 12 years of age has been raised. This session addresses the effectiveness of the current HBV vaccination schedule.

• The Comeback of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: What Pediatricians Need Now
  • 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Description: This session equips pediatricians to recognize and respond to re-emerging vaccine-preventable illnesses by reviewing current epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, outbreak response, and prevention strategies. Participants will gain practical tools to strengthen immunization practices, improve early identification of cases, and reduce morbidity in children and communities.

Monday, October 5

• Antimicrobial Update: Optimizing Prescribing Trends While Minimizing Resistance
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • Description: Faculty will review recent trends in antimicrobial resistance, discuss the latest evidence on diagnostic stewardship and penicillin allergy de-labeling strategies, and give practical guidance on optimal antimicrobial prescribing for commonly encountered pediatric infections.

• Hand, Foot, Mouth and What Disease?!
  • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
  • Description: This session addresses etiology, clinical presentation, epidemiology, management, and prevention of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Participants will also have an opportunity to engage in discussion and ask questions.

• Implementing the New AAP UTI Guideline: Evidence to Everyday Practice
  • 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Description: This session reviews the newly released AAP Clinical Practice Guideline for pediatric urinary tract infections, highlighting key diagnostic, treatment, and imaging recommendations. Participants will gain practical strategies to implement evidence-based care that improves patient outcomes while avoiding unnecessary testing and treatment.

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