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Infectious disease specialist
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Headache, fever, flu, exacerbation of chronic diseases and various inflammatory processes in the body - all this can be caused by various harmful microorganisms or, as we are used to calling them - infections. That is why doctors do not advise us to self-medicate even during simple colds. After all, the symptoms of flu or acute respiratory infections can "hide" more dangerous diseases and it is necessary to conduct the necessary tests. Therefore, we cannot do without an infectious disease specialist.
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Who is an infectious disease specialist?
The specialty "infectionist" is deciphered quite simply. This is a specialist in infectious diseases. An expert infectious disease doctor specializes in the study of various microorganisms, bacteria, which cause the development of various diseases.
An infectious disease specialist studies not only the microorganisms themselves, but also the overall picture of the disease. The doctor examines the causes, the main mechanisms of infection development, as well as methods of its treatment.
This specialist is universal and works with a very wide range of diseases. After all, infections can be in all organs, so the list of symptoms with which you can be referred to an infectious disease specialist is quite wide.
By the way, a good infectious disease specialist will be able to advise you on this or that vaccination. The issue of vaccination is especially relevant now, since vaccines against flu and other diseases are becoming increasingly popular, but many do not dare to take risks due to insufficient information. An infectious disease specialist will advise you on this issue and tell you about all the risks and benefits of this method of preventing infections.
When should you see an infectious disease specialist?
A family doctor or therapist can best determine which specialist a patient should contact. However, there are still a number of symptoms that may indicate that a person is suffering from an infectious disease in its initial stage. It is worth noting that some infectious diseases progress very quickly and have minor symptoms. Then the diseases can become chronic, will respond poorly to treatment, and significant complications are also possible. That is why doctors advise contacting them even with a slight increase in temperature and a common runny nose.
The main symptoms that require contacting a doctor with this specialization include fever, the appearance of various rashes, and severe migraines.
Also, if you constantly feel tired, exhausted, can't get enough sleep or can't sleep at all, you should also see an infectious disease specialist. Don't forget about your intestines. A sharp change in your usual digestive state can also signal the presence of an infection. Nausea, bloating, diarrhea or, conversely, constipation can also indicate that it's time to see a doctor.
What tests should you take when visiting an infectious disease specialist?
Of course, it is better to prepare for your appointment with your doctor in advance, but you will only be able to receive referrals for tests after the doctor has examined you and reviewed your medical history.
The fact is that during the appointment, the infectious disease specialist interviews the patient regarding complaints, as well as the first symptoms of the disease. Then the doctor checks for enlarged lymph nodes, and also conducts a general examination. And only after that the expert prescribes additional studies and tests.
The decision to go to an infectious disease specialist may be spontaneous, so do not worry about preparing for such a visit, and if you notice any symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
True, it is best not to eat anything before an appointment with an infectious disease specialist. The best time to fast is 12 hours. Therefore, it is best to go to the doctor in the morning. It is also worth completely eliminating all bad habits. It is better not to take any medications, but if you have already taken, say, a headache pill, be sure to tell the doctor about it.
What diagnostic methods does an infectious disease specialist use?
It is worth noting that you may be referred to an infectious disease specialist after some unforeseen situations, such as an animal bite. Then the doctor asks you about your symptoms and sensations, and also prescribes preventive vaccination. Then the expert notes whether any symptoms of the disease have appeared in a day or a week.
At a regular appointment, the infectious disease specialist asks about the main reasons that prompted the patient to visit. He or she creates a “disease profile” and prescribes additional procedures or tests.
Basically, such studies may include various blood tests depending on the disease picture that you described to the doctor. Also, the infectious disease specialist may prescribe flora culture and PCR diagnostics.
In private clinics with new equipment, additional research can be carried out.
After determining the disease, the infectious disease specialist prescribes treatment. By the way, do not forget that the treatment of infectious diseases is not only taking medications, antibiotics, but also an appropriate diet.
What does an infectious disease specialist do?
Infections lurk everywhere. Even a brand new toothbrush is teeming with all sorts of harmful microorganisms after just a few uses. Incidentally, scientists have recently discovered that hand soap in a bar is the dirtiest item in the entire house.
Our immunity generally successfully fights against all sorts of microorganisms and bacteria that “attack” our body. But if the immunity is not supported and basic rules of personal hygiene are not followed, it can no longer resist these “attacks”. Many symptoms of infectious diseases are very similar and it is the infectious disease doctor who “figures out” which bacteria and which disease were provoked.
The scope of work of an infectious disease specialist can be conditionally divided into several parts:
- Infectious bowel diseases.
- Respiratory infections.
- Skin infectious diseases.
- Various infectious blood diseases.
When visiting an infectious disease specialist, it is important to remember whether you have had contact with people who could be infected with infectious diseases, and also to prepare your medical record.
What diseases does an infectious disease specialist treat?
The full list of diseases that an infectious disease specialist specializes in is quite extensive. But, having analyzed the diseases, we can identify the most common ones, or rather those that we, and ultimately infectious disease doctors, encounter most often.
Such diseases include infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: dysentery, salmonellosis, botulism, ascariasis, trichuriasis.
"Airborne" infections: chickenpox, rubella, measles, flu, etc. As well as diseases such as poliomyelitis, scarlet fever, whooping cough and many others.
The competence of an infectious disease doctor also includes more dangerous infectious diseases such as rabies, plague, malaria and typhus. Of course, most often infectious disease specialists have to deal with such diseases as flu and acute respiratory infections.
Since infections can affect all human organs, an infectious disease specialist may prescribe additional examinations by other specialists, tests and cultures for flora. A biochemical blood test is also needed to determine the disease.
Advice from an infectious disease specialist
Many doctors assure that diseases can be avoided if necessary preventive measures are taken. Infectious disease specialists adhere to the same axiom. Experts from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine have compiled a whole list of advice and basic rules of conduct during unfavorable epidemiological situations.
Thus, infectious disease specialists advise, if possible, not to be in places where many people gather. It is necessary to monitor cleanliness at work and at home: do not forget about wet cleaning and regular ventilation of the premises. By the way, special attention should be paid to nutrition. The diet should be rich in vitamins, useful minerals and "light" ingredients. And alcohol and unhealthy food should be excluded from the menu. By the way, going to a nearby cafe for lunch with colleagues should also be cancelled. During flu epidemics, it is better to take food from home, so you will eliminate another risk of "catching" an infection.
Gauze masks should not be neglected. They can protect not only from the flu, but also from more dangerous diseases. However, when using masks, you should not forget that they need to be changed every three hours, and you should not wear them for a long time indoors.
Infectious disease specialists also advise not to neglect basic personal hygiene rules. It is worth washing your hands with soap after each visit to the toilet or walking outside.
Of course, the best way to prevent dangerous infectious diseases is vaccination. Infectious disease specialists advise not to neglect this simple and effective way to protect your health!