Who is an Infectious Disease Doctor?

When you have a common cold or a fever, you go to see your family doctor. It usually gets better in two to three days. But sometimes it doesn't. Some diseases are very complex, difficult to diagnose, and don't respond to regular medications. That's when we need the help of a doctor with specialized knowledge. Today we are going to talk about such a specialist. That is the Infectious Disease (ID) Doctor, or as we say in English.

Who is this infectious disease specialist?

Simply put, this is a doctor who has received special training in infectious diseases, diseases caused by germs that enter our bodies. These germs are tiny organisms that we cannot see with our eyes. There are mainly four types.

• Viruses: Like the coronavirus and dengue virus.
• Bacteria: Causes things like throat infections and urinary tract infections.
• Fungi: Causes skin diseases such as ringworm.
• Parasites: Cause things like malaria and worm diseases.

These organisms are everywhere. Sometimes they live inside our bodies without causing any problems. But sometimes they enter our bodies and make us sick. These illnesses can range from the common cold to life-threatening conditions.

You don't need to see a specialist for every infection you have. A general practitioner can treat most common infections. However, if an infection is rare , complex , serious , or chronic , then you may need to see a specialist.

What is the role of these specialist doctors?

These doctors specialize in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of acute and chronic infectious diseases. They often work in collaboration with other specialists. Some of their main tasks include:

• Diagnosis: We help diagnose difficult-to-diagnose, complex infections and viral diseases.
• Identifying the pathogen: Identifying exactly which specific virus, bacteria, or other organism is causing your symptoms.
• Research: We are researching how these microorganisms affect different parts of our bodies and how they affect society.
• Understanding new diseases: They are constantly aware of emerging infections in the world and viruses that change over time.
• Expertise in Antibiotics and Vaccines: They have in-depth knowledge of Antibiotics, Antivirals, and Vaccinations.

Why are you being referred to an infectious disease specialist?

Most often, your family doctor (Primary Care Physician - PCP) or another specialist who treats you will refer you to this type of doctor. There can be several reasons for this.

Imagine you have a strange, unsightly rash on your skin. If your dermatologist suspects that it is a rare infection, he or she may refer you to an infectious disease specialist. For example, if someone has been suffering from pneumonia for a long time, a pulmonologist may consult with an infectious disease specialist.

The table below can explain this further.

What are the common medical conditions they treat?

There are thousands of infectious diseases in the world. Here are some of the diseases that infectious disease specialists often treat:

• HIV/AIDS: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS.
• Tuberculosis (TB): A bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs.
• Hepatitis B and C: Viral infections that affect the liver.
• Meningitis: A serious infection that causes swelling of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
• Lyme disease: A tick-borne disease.
• Complicated Pneumonia: A lung infection that does not respond to standard treatments.
• Bone and Joint Infections: Similar to Osteomyelitis.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Complex and difficult to treat cases.
• Clostridium difficile (C. diff): A serious infection of the intestines.
• Travel Medicine: Diseases such as malaria, dengue, and typhoid.

What should you expect when you visit this doctor?

When you visit a specialist like this, he or she will ask you a very detailed question about your complete medical history and symptoms. Some of the types of questions you may be asked are:

• Symptoms: What symptoms do you have? When did they start? Are they getting worse or better?
• Medical history: What previous illnesses, surgeries, and medications have you had?
• Environment and lifestyle: What is your job? Have you traveled anywhere recently, especially to a foreign country? Do you have pets at home? Do you spend a lot of time outdoors?

After these questions, the doctor will examine you physically. Then, he or she will order several tests to help diagnose the exact condition.

Tests they may order

• Blood tests: Check for infection, white blood cell count, and antibodies to specific germs.
• Urine tests: To detect things like urinary tract infections.
• Stool samples: Check for intestinal infections or parasites.
• Throat swabs: Identify bacteria that cause throat infections.
• Tissue biopsies: Taking a small piece of tissue from an infected area for examination.
• Imaging scans: X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans can be used to see how the infection has spread within the body.
• Spinal tap / Lumbar puncture: This test is done if there is a suspicion of an infection of the brain or spinal cord (such as meningitis).

How do you become an infectious disease specialist?

This is a very long and dedicated journey. These doctors have a medical degree like other doctors, but in addition, they undergo years of specialized training in immunology and epidemiology.

• Immunology: The study of how our body's immune system works and how germs affect it.
• Epidemiology: The science that studies why and how diseases spread in society, and what factors influence it.

Simply put, they spend several years in internal medicine after medical school, followed by two or more years of sub-specialty training in infectious diseases. Because of this, they have a vast knowledge of germs and how they affect our bodies.

If you have an infectious disease that your general practitioner is having difficulty diagnosing or treating, they may refer you to an infectious disease specialist. They will work with your doctor and other healthcare providers to manage your condition and help you get well again.