Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases is the specialty that diagnoses and treats infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, especially those that are unusual, persistent, recurrent or hard to treat. Infectious disease physicians are often called in when a fever has no clear cause, when an infection keeps coming back or does not respond to antibiotics, when an infection involves a surgical wound, a joint replacement or another implant, and for long-term conditions such as HIV and viral hepatitis. They also advise on vaccination and on staying healthy before and after travel. Patients travel for this care to reach an experienced team supported by a full microbiology laboratory, to have a puzzling infection worked up in one coordinated visit, or to get a clear treatment plan for a chronic viral infection.