When do you need an Infectious Diseases Specialist?
- Your physician may refer you to an Infectious Diseases Specialist in cases where an infection is difficult to diagnose or does not respond to treatment.
Typical Procedures:
- Infectious Diseases Specialists review your medical data, including medical imaging and laboratory reports.
- Perform physical exam to help determine the cause of the problem.
Tests:
- Infectious Diseases Specialists often order laboratory tests to examine samples of blood or cultures from wounds and other body fluids. A blood serum analysis may help the Infectious Diseases Specialist detect antibodies that indicate what type of infection you have. These tests can further explain the results of earlier tests performed, helping to identify the problem.
Treatments:
- Treatments consist of medicines, often antibiotics to help overcome the infection and prevent it from returning. Antibiotics can be given in the form of pills or liquids. Antibiotics can also be administered directly into your veins (via IV tube) when necessary. Our facility has IV antibiotic therapy available on site which decreases the possibility of hospitalization.
How will your Infectious Diseases Specialist work with your other medical doctors?
- The Infectious Diseases Specialist will work with your other medical doctors to determine which diagnostic tests are appropriate. If treatment is necessary, your other medical doctors and the Infectious Diseases Specialist will work together to develop the best treatment plan right for your needs.
- If a follow-up appointment is requested, this allows the Infectious Diseases Specialist to check on your progress.
What information will you need for your Infectious Diseases Specialist?
- A list of all medications you take including over-the-counter and prescription medications.
- A list of any allergies you have.
- All medical records related to your condition.
- X-rays or other medical imaging studies
- laboratory reports
- progress/medical records from other medical providers
- Please let the Infectious Diseases Specialist know if you are taking birth control pills. Some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
Infectious Diseases Specialists serve as primary care physicians.
- Some Infectious Diseases Specialists serve as primary care physicians, for example, for people with HIV/AIDS, treating most illnesses and coordinating their patients' overall care.