Infectious diseases are illnesses caused organisms that enter, grow, and multiply in the body. Bacteria, protozoans, fungi, and viruses are examples of these organisms. Epidemiology is a branch of medicine concerned with the study of disease causes, distribution, and control in relation to a specific population. As a result, infectious disease epidemiology focuses on tracing the origins of communicable diseases within a community.
Many infectious diseases can now be treated with modern medicine; however, new communicable diseases like West Nile virus and SARS may pose greater challenges. Infectious disease epidemiology is also demonstrating that older diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria may now present in forms that are resistant to existing treatments. Infectious disease epidemiologists play a critical role in preventing and managing the effects of both old and new illnesses.
An epidemiologist is a medical scientist who studies and records the factors that influence the progression of diseases. An epidemiologist must have a master’s degree from a school of public health in order to work in the field. Epidemiologists specialize in communicable diseases and work closely with other medical professionals to prevent and control them. Infectious disease epidemiology is the name given to this field of study.
Epidemiologists of infectious diseases can work in both research and clinical settings. A communicable disease researcher usually focuses on eradicating and controlling the disease. He might also concentrate on specific infectious diseases like tuberculosis, HIV, and influenza. This type of physician may work in public health schools, colleges or universities, or medical schools.
Clinical infectious disease epidemiologists may work in hospitals to develop management guidelines for a variety of infectious diseases. They may also assist hospital medical staff in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. These epidemiologists gather and analyze laboratory results, as well as the geographic distribution and severity of these diseases.
For those seeking graduate-level training in infectious disease epidemiology, some universities offer certificate programs. Non-degree programs are the most common format. Laboratory professionals, nurses, veterinarians, and a variety of physicians may benefit from this type of certification.
Many government health departments have their own epidemiology programs for infectious diseases. These initiatives aid in the monitoring and control of infectious diseases, such as bacterial meningitis, which can be prevented with vaccines. These programs also keep track of foodborne and waterborne illnesses like E. coli, as well as vectorborne diseases like West Nile virus and zoonotic diseases like plague. Typically, these governmental entities are in charge of investigating outbreaks of these illnesses within their jurisdiction. The programs could also be used healthcare providers as a source of information, with medical consultations available in a variety of situations.