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Who is an infectious disease specialist?

An infectious disease (ID) specialist is a trained medical expert with expertise in identifying and treating infectious or contagious diseases. They focus on the cure of both acute and chronic medical conditions caused by viruses, fungi, bacteria, parasites, etc. 

Our body naturally has a microbiome of pathogens, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. But when these microorganisms cause diseases and infections, you must see an infectious disease specialist. Other reasons for contracting conditions from third parties may include transmission from other people, insects, animals, or contaminated food.

The symptoms and severity of each infection vary; hence, an infectious disease specialist must act promptly and responsively. Diagnosing and treating them can be challenging, so people generally turn to experts for specialized care. Infectious disease specialists are trained in laboratory and clinical skills to curate the best patient treatment. 

What is the training involved in becoming an infectious disease specialist?

Becoming a certified infectious disease doctor requires about nine to ten years of intricate training. Aspirants graduate from medical school in four years, in which the first two years are spent in theoretical coursework, and the next two years involve clinical rotations for exposure. After this, they complete a three-year residency training in internal medicine and follow it with a fellowship for two to three years, covering all aspects of becoming a board-certified doctor. This specialized training covers the usage of antibiotics and their effects, immunology, and epidemiology. 

These specialists receive ongoing training throughout their careers to assist them in comprehending more modern infectious diseases brought on by international travel or rising antibiotic resistance.

What role does an infectious disease specialist play?

Until the late 1970s, the 'infectious disease' specialty never existed. Then, the field emerged as a required specialty owing to newly identified infections and the need for their treatments. 

When consulted, an infectious disease specialist reviews your medical history, conducts a physical examination to check symptoms, takes blood samples, and performs tests of other bodily fluids to analyze antibodies.

Our immune system produces antibodies to help combat harmful pathogens or foreign substances. This helps an infectious disease specialist identify the infection attacking the body. Once identified, they carry out the necessary treatment and prescribe antibiotics and other medications. 

When should you see an infectious disease specialist?

An infection, whether seasonal, acute, or chronic, needs proper medical attention and care. Consider consulting an infectious disease specialist near you in situations like the ones listed below:

• An infection that needs diagnosis which may be caused by Escherichia Coli, MRSA, malaria, hepatitis, tuberculosis, etc.
• An increase in the severity of an existing infection
• A high or unexplained fever over a more extended period
• Reference by a primary care physician due to unresponsiveness to treatment
• Chronic infectious diseases like HIV, leprosy, plague, etc.
• New and emerging diseases like Chikungunya fever, avian influenza, Ebola, COVID-19, etc.

What are the categories of infectious agents?

Infectious diseases can be categorized into several types, including viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal, and rare transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).

• Viral infections: Viruses are tiny pieces of information (either DNA or RNA) encased in a protective shell called a capsid. Unlike human cells, viruses cannot reproduce on their own. They invade a person's cells and hijack the cellular machinery to replicate themselves.
• Bacterial infections: Bacteria are single-celled organisms with genetic instructions encoded in a small piece of DNA. They are ubiquitous, living all around and within the human body. Most bacteria are harmless, and some can even be beneficial, but some can release toxins that cause illnesses.
• Fungal infections: Like bacteria, fungi are present on and within the human body. Infections occur when fungi grow excessively. Other examples include harmful fungi entering the body through the mouth, nose, or a cut in the skin, leading to certain illnesses. 
• Parasitic infections: Parasites live and reproduce using other organisms' bodies. These can include worms (helminths) and certain single-celled organisms (protozoa). Parasites rely on the host's body for their survival and reproduction. 
• Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs/prion diseases): TSEs can result from prions, abnormal proteins that induce other proteins in the human body, typically in the brain, to become faulty. The body cannot use or eliminate these faulty proteins, leading to their accumulation and resulting in disease. Prions are an infrequent cause of infectious diseases.

What are the most common types of infectious diseases?

ID specialists treat a wide range of contagious as well as non-communicable infections. Some common conditions treated include:

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): STIs primarily spread via sexual contact but can also be spread in other ways. For example, a mother with an STI can spread it to the infant during pregnancy or childbirth. They can also spread through blood transfusions or shared needles. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites may pass from one person to another through the blood, semen, or vaginal and bodily fluids. Common STIs include gonorrhea, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, and genital herpes. Sores on the genitals, odorous vaginal discharge, pain during intercourse, and lower abdominal pain are some signs of an STI.  
• Measles: Also known as rubeola, this condition is severe and may be fatal in children. It is caused by a virus but can be easily prevented by getting vaccinated. A virus commonly found in the nose or throat of an infected child or adult can cause this illness.  Common measles signs include - fever, dry cough, conjunctivitis or inflamed eyes, skin rash made of large flat blotches, and tiny white spots found on the inner lining of the cheek. Most of these symptoms will appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure. 
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): These infections affect several parts of the urinary tract system, including the kidneys, urethra, and bladder. Microorganisms, usually bacteria, cause urinary tract infections. They typically enter through the urethra and may infect the bladder. This infection can also travel from your bladder through your ureters, ultimately affecting the kidneys. UTIs are more common in women than men. Common signs of a UTI include urinary incontinence, frequent urination, pain during urination, pressure in the lower part of the pelvic region, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, and pain in the abdomen, pelvic area, or lower back. While minor UTIs can go away on their own, most need antibiotics to be treated. 
• Tuberculosis (TB): This is a bacterial infection known to affect the lungs. TB may also affect other organs in the body, such as the spine, kidneys, or brain. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB, typically spreads through the air. A person with active TB may spread it by coughing, sneezing, talking, singing, or laughing. Both active as well as inactive tuberculosis can be treated with specific antibiotics. 

Tips to prevent infections

Preventing infections is essential for maintaining optimal overall health and well-being. Here are some tips to help you reduce your risk of getting infections:

• Hand hygiene: Wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and in public places. Use soap and water and follow the 20-second rule. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Vaccinations: Stay up-to-date with recommended vaccinations and immunizations to protect against preventable diseases. Additionally, while traveling abroad, patients should check with their healthcare provider about any additional vaccinations. 
• Practice safe sex: Make use of barrier methods like condoms. They help minimize the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Respiratory hygiene: Cover your mouth and nose adequately with a tissue or elbow while you sneeze or cough. Properly dispose of the used tissues and wash your hands afterward.
• Stay home when sick: If you are feeling unwell, have symptoms, or have been in contact with an individual having a contagious disease, stay home. It will prevent the spread of infection. 
• Avoid bug-borne pathogens: Mosquitos and ticks can be the carriers of viruses as well as bacteria. To avoid infections from these, use Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellents, including those containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. It is also necessary to reduce outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours, i.e., early morning and evening. Draining any standing or stagnant water near your home will prevent disease-causing mosquitoes from breeding.
• Prepare food safely: Maintain cleanliness on kitchen countertops and other surfaces while you prepare meals. Ensure you cook food to the correct temperature using a food thermometer to assess its readiness. Promptly store any leftover food in the refrigerator. Avoid allowing cooked dishes to sit at room temperature for extended periods.
• Do not share personal items: Use your combs, toothbrushes, and razors. Additionally, refrain from sharing drinking glasses or eating utensils with others.
• Travel wisely: Follow travel advisories and take necessary precautions when going to areas with known outbreaks or risks.

Remember that preventing infections involves personal hygiene, vaccination, and healthy habits. Adapt these practices to your specific circumstances and stay vigilant to protect yourself and those around you from infections. Also, talking to a healthcare provider for personalized advice is wise and recommended.

Where can you find an infectious disease specialist near you in New York, NY?

Now that we have covered all the essential information on who an infectious disease specialist is, we should also know where we can find them. Searching for the best infectious disease specialist in New York can be tedious, if not for Zocdoc. With Zocdoc, your search for any specialist and doctor is just a click away.

On Zocdoc, you can add medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. However, you can only use one insurance plan at a time when searching for and scheduling appointments. If you have multiple insurance plans, you can specify your secondary carrier and plan in the notes for the provider during the final step of the booking process. Additionally, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can add secondary insurance information when completing your forms online. For more insurance-related queries or concerns, visit Zocdoc's patient help center page.

Zocdoc furnishes a list of doctors to book your appointment. You can filter from the number of specialists listed by their locality, gender, insurance policy accepted, experience, and booking date. You can access each doctor's profile from the filtered list, which unfolds all essential details about their education, certification, license, languages they speak, and patient reviews.

When booking an appointment, you can consult in person or via video call. Once you have done so, Zocdoc will prompt you to leave a review for the services offered, which will help others better understand how well the doctor provided consultation and treatment.

Locating a qualified infectious disease specialist near you is now easier! Booking appointments on Zocdoc is easy, safe, and accessible.

Statistics on infectious specialist doctors in New York, New York

The COVID-19 pandemic led to serious damage to the lives of many people worldwide. The National Library of Medicine surveyed the infection-fatality risk rate due to SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). New York City reported an estimated infection-fatality risk of 1.39% in March-June 2020. It showed that people over 65 were estimated to have higher infection-fatality chances than the younger age group. 

The 2020 annual surveillance report on HIV/AIDS in New York State showed that the number of people diagnosed with HIV decreased by around 51% from 2011 to 2020. Among them, the spread of HIV was heaviest in New York City. There were reportedly about 1,05,610 people living with diagnosed HIV in New York, of which nearly 75% were at least 45 years old and 57% were above 50. Most of the new cases of HIV were common among people younger than 40 years, accounting for roughly 68% of the total. Close to 20% of the people above 50 years were diagnosed with new HIV cases.

Sources

Health Science Degree Guide

EBSCO

WebMD

Doctorly.org

Science Advances

New York State Department of Health

PubMed

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]

Harvard Health Publishing

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Cleveland Clinic[3]

Mayo Clinic[1]

Mayo Clinic[2]

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.