Infectious Disease Specialist Near Me
Sometimes a patient’s symptoms require more specialized care than a general practitioner can readily take on. When it comes to infectious diseases such as those caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, seeking a qualified infectious disease specialist is the recommended course of action. An infectious disease specialist is a doctor of internal medicine who is highly trained and qualified as an expert in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases. They undergo extensive training to earn high marks in the speciality. If you are suffering from an infectious disease, you’ll want to find a great doctor near you.
Seeking an infectious disease specialist? Go ahead and browse infectious disease specialist near me on the map below and find a list of highly qualified doctors in your area. Need a bit more information on infectious diseases and the specialists who treat them? Read on for facts, trivia, and tips on finding the right doctor for you.
Infectious Disease Specialist Near Me – Find it on the Map
Infectious Disease Specialist Near Me – Infectious Disease Specialist Trivia
What is an infectious disease?
While you may have heard about infectious diseases on the news or in passing, many individuals don’t know what they are or how they spread. Consider these facts as you search infectious disease specialist near me. Infectious diseases are illnesses that are cause by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. Collectively these microorganisms are known in the medical community as pathogens. Pathogens can cause disease in people by disrupting the bodies normal processes and/or stimulating the immune system into producing a defensive response. The results are a high fever, inflammation, and other uncomfortable flu-like symptoms. Unlike many known diseases, infectious diseases are capable of being spread from one person to another. Contact with bodily fluids, aerosols (coughing or sneezing) or via vector (a mosquito bite), are all ways in which infectious diseases can spread. If you suspect you have an infectious disease it is important that you seek prompt medical attention. Not only could you help stave off more crippling symptoms but you can stop the contamination of others by seeking prompt treatment. Right now, infectious diseases are the number one cause of death worldwide.
An infectious disease specialist may be your first line of defense when it comes to treating infectious diseases.
What are viruses?
Viruses are a common cause of infectious diseases and are not capable of being treated by antibiotics alone. What are viruses? Consider this as you search infectious disease specialist near me. Viruses are tiny infectious agents that can rapidly replicate in the living cells of other organisms. Viruses boast a very simple structure, consisting simply of genetic material in the form of DNA or RNA, all housed within a protein capsule. Unlike many infectious diseases, viruses can infect all types of life forms. Animals, plants, bacteria, and amoebae are not immune to viruses. Like other infectious diseases viruses can spread in many ways. Often times containing a virus is very difficult, especially in buildings where individuals are constantly in contact with one another. Viruses care commonly spread person to person through coughing and sneezing. This is how ailments such as the influenza virus can rapidly spread in offices, schools, and homes. Viruses can also be spread by not washing your hands after going to the toilet. Norovirus and rotavirus are commonly spread in such a fashion. Some viruses such as HIV and HPV, can be spread through sexual contact. Others can be spread by exposure to infected blood. If you are experiencing any symptoms of a virus it is absolutely necessary to see a doctor. You will not be able to contain or cure symptoms with willpower and over the counter medications alone.
Infectious Disease Specialist Near Me – Infectious Disease Specialist Facts
Who needs an infectious disease specialist?
While infectious diseases can be rather dangerous, depending on the type, not everyone needs to seek the help of an infectious disease specialist. When it comes to most infectious diseases, a family doctor can take care of most infections, such as the Flu Virus or a bacterial infection. Sometimes, if you are suffering from a parasitic infection or HIV, a specialist will be required to help come up with a truly innovative treatment plan. When a fever is very high or an infection is serious beyond ordinary measure, or when problems occur with treatment, it is necessary to search infectious disease specialist near me. A qualified specialist can help provide great insight into tests and treatments that will be helpful in understanding your particular disease and preventing recurrent infections or further issues. An infectious disease specialist can quickly decide the severity of your symptoms and if antibiotic treatments should be given orally or by vein. Some diseases don’t require any treatment, but many do. A specialist can run the diagnostic testing and form a treatment plan that is best suited to your unique needs.
Always Follow Up
Seeking the help of an infectious disease specialist is the first step on your journey to recovery. Unfortunately, it’s not your final step. While an infectious disease specialist will run the diagnostic tests and determine a treatment plan, you will often need to follow up with a family doctor after seeing a specialist. Typically, after seeking treatment from an infectious disease specialist, you will be asked to return to your primary physician for a follow up visit to go over test results and ensure that the infection has been eliminated from the body. In cases of severe or enduring infection, your follow up will likely be with your infectious disease specialist. This is to guarantee that the infection will not recur. All patients will resume care with their regular physician once a condition has stabilized, is cured, or shows no signs of lying dormant in the body. As you search infectious disease specialist near me, always keep in mind your particular symptoms and your unique health history. These can all be deciding factors in what kind of doctor you see and the type of treatment plan you are eventually placed on.
