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5 The work of an infectiologist
Doctors who specialise in the medical treatment of infectious disease are called infectiologists or infectious disease specialists. Generally, infections are initially diagnosed by primary care physicians or internal medicine specialists. For example, an "uncomplicated" pneumonia will generally be treated by the internist or the pulmonologist (lung physician).
The services of the infectious disease team are called for when:
- The disease has not been definitively diagnosed after an initial workup
- The patient is immunocompromised (for example, in AIDS or after chemotherapy);
- The infectious agent is of an uncommon nature (e.g. tropical diseases);
- The disease has not responded to first line antibiotics;
- The disease might be dangerous to other patients, and the patient might have to be isolated.
The work of the infectiologist therefore entails working with patients and doctors on one hand and laboratory scientists and immunologists on the other hand.
6 History
Anton van Leeuwenhoek ( 1632- 1723) advanced the science of microscopy, allowing easy visualization of bacteria.
Louis Pasteur proved beyond doubt that certain diseases can be caused by infectious agents, and developed a vaccine for rabies.
Robert Koch, mentioned above, gave the study of infectious diseases a scientific basis by formulating Koch's postulates.
Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin developed successful vaccines for polio, effectively ending the threat of this debilitating disease.
7 See also
8 References
Specialisms of medicine
