People with infectious diseases are treated an infectious disease doctor. Doctors who specialize in infectious disease may be involved in the response to disease outbreaks, the development of public health policies, the establishment of protocols to control infectious disease in hospital environments, and public outreach and education aimed at reducing the incidence of infectious disease, in addition to working directly with patients. This type of work can be extremely varied, and infectious disease specialists can work in a variety of settings.
To become an infectious disease doctor, one must first complete college and medical school before becoming a specialist in internal medicine or pediatrics. After completing this training, the doctor can pursue an infectious disease fellowship and develop an infectious disease subspecialty. Many infectious disease doctors are members of professional organizations that encourage their members to provide high-quality patient care. These types of organizations provide opportunities to attend conferences, subscribe to trade journals, and participate in infectious disease research.
In terms of patient care, an infectious disease doctor can be consulted if a patient appears to be suffering from health issues as a result of an organism infection. This can include immediate treatment for patients with life-threatening infections, as well as diagnosis of patients with difficult medical mysteries and long-term care for patients who develop infection-related complications. Some bacterial infections, for example, can harm the gastrointestinal tract, so a patient with a history of such infections may need regular checkups and other specialized care.
An infectious disease doctor can be part of the team on the ground that handles patient care, attempts to determine the source of the outbreak, and works to contain it in the event of a disease outbreak. This work may include identifying new organisms or learning more about existing organisms, as well as extensive lab work to test patient samples, connect patients, and determine which patients are not part of the outbreak.
These medical experts also play a role in policymaking. They may be consulted policy-making organizations and agencies in order to develop a more effective plan for reducing disease spread, and they may also participate in research that will shape policy and treatment protocols. An infectious disease doctor might be an MD/PhD with degrees in medicine and public health in this case.