What does an infectious disease specialist do?
Infectious disease specialists are doctors who are trained in internal medicine and specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and management of infectious diseases. These specialists have extensive knowledge of how viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi affect the body, especially in the area of sinus, bones, brain, heart, lungs, intestines, pans and urinary tract. Infectious disease specialist usually undergoes intense training between nine and ten years, including learning about immunology and epidemiology.
Most infectious diseases can be diagnosed and treated by a general internist. In cases where the diagnosis is difficult, the prescribed treatment has failed, or when the fever is presented next to the infection, a general internist may give the patient to a specialist in infectious diseases. When the patient is referred to an infectious disease specialist, information such as medical history, X -rays and laboratory reports that describe in detail the results of blood work and the wound culture to be reviewed. SpecialistIt may also decide to carry out their own tests on the patient, from basic physical to advanced tests, such as blood serum analysis, which determines what types of antibodies - and therefore, what types of infections - are present in the body.
Usually, infectious disease specialists can treat the patient directly in their offices. Many infectious diseases can be fought with oral antibiotics. Specialists may also have access to IV antibiotic therapy, which allows antibiotics to be injected directly into the patient's vein. Because this treatment can be easily available in the average specialist office, the patient hospitalization is minimized.
Infectious disease specialist can also help patients avoid or prepare for situations where they can come into contact with infectious diseases. For example, an infectious disease specialist can teach Someone to travel to a foreign country of safe hygienicH practices and common infectious diseases occurring in this area. Specialists can also recommend that patients receive immunization before traveling.
A patient who was handed over to a specialist in infectious diseases would be well prepared for his first visit. Calling the office of its general internists and ensuring that all of its records are handed over to a specialist, doctors can help diagnost and treat the patient's disease. In addition, the patient should collect his immunization records and create lists of all known allergies and drugs he uses to pre -present himself to a specialist. It is important to realize that a specialist in infectious diseases will also work closely with the recommended physician and can even refer patients to other doctors. All physicians related to the patient will cooperate on diagnosis and treatment, although an infectious disease specialist can play the most active role on average, treatment, control and prevention of infections.