Learn About Infectious Disease Specialists: Conditions They Treat and When to see one?
What is an Infectious Disease Specialist?
An infectious disease specialist is a medical professional who has been trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat infectious diseases. They see patients who are exhibiting signs or symptoms of infectious disease and perform a variety of tests to determine the type of disease and prevent it from spreading.
How does a doctor become an Infectious Disease Specialist?
To become an infectious disease specialist, a person must first complete an undergraduate program and then attend four years of medical school. After graduating from medical school, they must complete three years of training as a doctor of internal medicine and another three years of specialized training in infectious diseases. Most infectious disease specialists also choose to become certified and do so by passing a test administered by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
What types of illnesses do Infectious Disease Specialists treat?
Infectious disease specialists treat illnesses and diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Their main goal is to prevent the spread of these diseases, but they can treat them too. Some of the most common infectious diseases treated by infectious disease specialists include:
- AIDS
- Anthrax
- Botulism
- Chicken Pox
- Chlamydia
- Cholera
- Dengue Fever
- Ebola
- Giardiasis
- Gonorrhea
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Hepatitis
- Herpes
- Hookworm
- Influenza
- Kawasaki Disease
- Lassa Fever
- Malaria
- Measles
- Meningitis
- Mumps
- Pneumonia
- Rabies
- Rotavirus
- Rubella
- Scarlet Fever
- Scabies
- Tetanus
- Typhoid Fever
- West Nile Virus
- Yellow Fever
- Zika Virus
What are the diagnostic tests and procedures ordered by Infectious Disease Specialists?
Infectious disease specialists not only have to identify the disease but also the parasite or problem that causes it. They may do a variety of tests to diagnose the condition or infection and may perform them themselves or order the tests from other specialists or healthcare professionals. Some of the most common tests include:
- X-Rays: These can help the infectious disease specialist tell if there is any swelling or if another problem could be to blame for the patient’s symptoms.
- Blood tests: Blood tests can show if there is a parasite in the bloodstream and if the body is working to fight infection.
- Spinal taps: A spinal tap will let the infectious disease specialist determine if there are any parasites in the spinal fluid.
- Skin scrapes: For diseases that have rashes, a skin scrape may be taken to test for parasites.
How do Infectious Disease Specialists treat diseases?
Most infectious diseases are treated with antibiotics. There are different types of antibiotics that are more effective at treating certain infectious diseases than others. Some common treatments include:
When to see an Infectious Disease Specialist?
Many people don’t realize they have an infectious disease until they have already exposed others to it or are referred to an infectious disease specialist by their family doctor. The symptoms of many infectious diseases can mimic those of the common cold or the flu, so many people fail to get treatment until their symptoms become severe. You should see an infectious disease expert if you experience any of the following:
- Exposure to someone with an infectious disease
- Travel to a tropical climate
- Bite by a mosquito or other insect known to carry infectious diseases
- Exposure to an STD
- Fever
- Rash
- Headache
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
Resources:
Infectious Diseases Society of America
