What an infectious disease specialist does
An infectious disease (ID) specialist is a doctor of internal medicine (or, in some cases, pediatrics) who is qualified as an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. ID specialists have expertise in sinus infection and infections of the heart, brain, lungs, urinary tract, bowel, bones and pelvic organs. Their extensive training focuses on all kinds of infections, including those caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Many ID physicians specialize in treating patients with infections due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS. Along with their specialized knowledge comes a particular insight into the use of antibiotics and their potential adverse effects. ID specialists also have additional training in immunology (how the body fights infection), epidemiology (how infections spread) and infection control.
The role of an infectious disease specialist is to review a patient's medical data, including records, X-rays and laboratory reports. They may perform a physical examination, depending on the type of problem. They also counsel healthy people who plan to travel to countries where there is an increased risk of infection.
Laboratory studies are often necessary and may include blood studies and cultures of wounds or body fluids. They may order blood serum studies for antibodies indicating the presence of unusual or uncommon diseases. These studies may help explain the results of studies that a general internist may already have done.
Work in the infectious disease specialty is limited to diagnosis and medical treatment. ID specialists do not perform surgery.
When you need an infectious disease specialist
Not everyone who has an infectious disease needs an infectious disease specialist. Your general internist can take care of most infections, such as urinary tract infection and yeast infection, but sometimes specialized expertise is needed to either diagnose or manage specific infectious diseases.
When a fever raises the suspicion that you may have an infection, when an infection is potentially serious or when problems occur with treatment, it may be necessary to consult an infectious disease specialist. ID specialists can provide special insight into tests that will be helpful in diagnosing and understanding the infection and preventing recurrent infections. They can often help determine what treatment you need, if any, and whether you should receive antibiotics. You may not require any treatment, but if you do, they may confer with your personal physician about which diagnostic testing and forms of treatment are best-suited to your needs.
If you are hospitalized for an infection or acquire an infection while hospitalized, ID specialists will follow and help direct your hospital care. In some cases, they may continue to see you after you go home from the hospital.
How infectious disease specialists work with other physicians
Although infectious disease specialists sometimes serve as primary-care physicians, in most cases you will still need your regular doctor. Usually you will be asked to return to the ID specialist for a follow-up visit to review test results and to be sure that your infection has been eliminated. ID specialists may wish to follow up with you until they feel confident that the infection will not recur. You will resume care with your primary-care physician when your condition has stabilized or is cured.