Who Are Infectious Disease Doctors & Why They Matter

Infectious disease doctors are experts in managing infections. Working in hospitals and public health centers, these physicians protect us from infectious illnesses and promote community health.

From early outbreaks like Salmonella to recent ones like COVID-19, infectious disease doctors have consistently been on the frontlines of epidemic responses throughout history. As infectious diseases rank as one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., the importance of ID doctors cannot be overstated. 

Their expertise is essential in diagnosing, treating, and preventing the spread of both common and emerging infections, safeguarding public health.

Ready to join the battle against infections? Keep on reading to explore what an infectious disease doctor is, which conditions they treat, and how to become one. 

What Is an Infectious Disease Doctor?

While humans and microorganisms coexist, some can pose a threat to health, causing infections that range from harmless to life-threatening. Infectious disease (ID) doctors play a crucial role in controlling these infections. They are not only responsible for treating infections but also for preventing them.

What sets ID doctors apart from the others is their unique training on infections. Though a majority of common infections are treated by general internists, ID doctors are key to resolving the unknown. 

They are experts in diagnosing, treating, and preventing a broad spectrum of complex infections caused by pathogens living in our bodies and environment like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, making them vital in healthcare. 

Dr. Dawn Roach, an Infectious Disease Specialist who graduated from the American College of Antigua (AUA), highlights the comprehensive approach to infectious illnesses, which is critical in ID patient care. 

“Infectious Diseases is one of those specialties where you see the patient as a whole, not just different parts. And it’s one of the specialties where I can actually cure if we have a cure,” says Dr. Roach. 

What Does an Infectious Disease Doctor Do?

Infectious disease doctors perform a variety of tasks both in clinical and public health settings. Here’s a breakdown of their daily responsibilities.

Diagnosis

To properly treat an infection, doctors must first know what they’re dealing with. During the diagnosis stage, their duties include:

• Conducting a thorough patient evaluation by checking their history
• Ordering lab tests, like the PCR or urine test, to identify pathogens
• Analyzing lab results to find a diagnosis

Treatment

Once an infection has been diagnosed, ID doctors will move on with the treatment stage. This means developing a personalized treatment plan—using antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals—and consulting with other specialists. For instance, in a case of sepsis, an ID doctor may collaborate with critical care and surgery teams to optimize patient care.

Prevention

ID doctors are key in advising hospitals and public health organizations on infection control measures, such as vaccination strategies and antimicrobial stewardship. They do this by:

• Conducting infection control audits to ensure compliance with standards
• Implementing vaccination programs to increase immunization rates
• Training healthcare providers on the latest infection prevention techniques and protocols

Through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, these doctors are able to fight these infections and maintain well-being. 

What Are the Responsibilities of an Infectious Disease Doctor?

An ID doctor’s responsibilities expand beyond the hospital. One key area to highlight is their role in managing viral outbreaks, most recently seen with COVID-19. 

A recent article titled “Where is the ID in COVID-19”, emphasizes these doctors’ role in managing such serious cases of infection. Positive clinical outcomes linked to their involvement include lower mortality rates, reduced lengths of hospital stay, and fewer readmissions. 

Along with public health care, ID doctors are often consulted for diagnosing and managing rare or complex infections, like cases of antibiotic resistance or unusual pathogens.

Their contribution to research must also be noted. ID doctors participate in studies, explore new treatments, vaccines, or other ways of preventing infectious diseases from spreading. Most of them work in collaboration with public health organizations in outbreak control and broader public health policies through advisory committees.

Combining clinical care, research, and public health efforts helps ID doctors safeguard people and communities from infections and contribute meaningfully towards managing general health.

What Skills Do ID Doctors Need?

Dealing with infections is not an easy task. ID doctors must understand the root cause of an infection and find ways to mitigate its impact. And this necessitates a unique skillset, including:

• Advanced knowledge and expertise in microbiology
• Proficiency on using diagnostic tools like tests
• The ability to understand and interpret lab results
• Ability to select the appropriate antibiotics for effective treatment
• Understanding of epidemiology, outbreak management, and vaccination strategies

The elective rotation on infectious disease at the American University of Antigua (AUA) will equip students with these and other technical skills to aid in isolating both chronic and acute infection illnesses and choose the appropriate treatment. 

Students are supervised by senior doctors and guided through the process of treating an infection by looking at patient history, blood work, radiological studies, and empiric data.

But that’s not all. To excel as an ID specialist, one must also possess a variety of soft skills, such as:

• Communication skills
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills 
• The ability to collaborate and work well with other specialists
• Having empathy
• Staying up-to-date with emerging infectious diseases and new medical technologies

A combination of hard and soft skills will ensure these doctors can provide comprehensive, high-quality care.

Where Do Infectious Disease Doctors Work?

ID doctors may find themselves operating in different settings, depending on their preference and long-term career goals. But one thing’s for certain: their role is highly important wherever they work. 

Many choose to work in hospitals, expertly diagnosing and treating patients suffering from infections. Some opt for laboratory settings, granting them the opportunity to research upcoming infections and find ways to combat them. 

Public health agencies like the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are also sought after by ID doctors. Here, they assist in managing outbreaks and formulating health strategies to prevent infections. 

In academic settings, these physicians educate medical students and conduct research to enhance the understanding of infectious diseases. Their multifaceted roles make them crucial in both clinical environments and wider public health initiatives.

What’s alarming, however, is that 80% of counties in the United States do not have a single ID physician as of 2022. These statistics are concerning, making the ID physician shortage a serious public health challenge. 

What Diseases Are Commonly Treated by Infectious Disease Doctors?

The conditions ID doctors treat range from mild to complex:

• Skin infections
• Fevers
• Hepatitis
• HIV/AIDS
• Measles
• Mpox
• Covid-19
• E. Coli
• Ebola
• Zika Virus

One of their growing focuses is managing drug-resistant infections, such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and C. difficile, which are harder to treat with standard antibiotics.

Tropical diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, and Chagas disease, are another area of expertise for ID doctors, especially in regions where these infections are common. As travel increases and new pathogens emerge, the work of ID doctors in managing and preventing these diseases becomes more critical than ever for both local and global health.

What Is the Career Outlook and Salary for ID Doctors?

The United States will face a shortage of 86,000 physicians by 2036, according to the AAMC (American Association of Medical Colleges). This also includes specialists like infectious disease doctors. Access to an ID physician in the U.S. is limited, especially in rural areas. And with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for ID physicians is now higher than ever, making this role a wise career choice for current medical students. 

The salary expectations for infectious disease doctors are generally high. Recently, there’s been an increase in ID physician salaries by 7%, which has led to an approximate $241,000 average annual salary. This presents an increase of $11,000 from 2022, to when the median wage was $230,000. 

In light of the growing demand, attractive salary prospects, and the critical need for ID specialists in underserved areas, pursuing a career in infectious disease medicine offers both professional fulfillment and financial security, making it an excellent path for future doctors.

How Do You Become an Infectious Disease Doctor?

Undergoing a detailed academic path along with rigorous training is required to become an infectious disease doctor. Let’s break it down. 

1. Enroll in medical school

The journey begins with medical school. ID doctors must undertake pre-medical school coursework and achieve a competitive score on the MCAT to get accepted. At AUA, however, we look at more than just your MCAT scores by employing a comprehensive approach to your overall qualifications and qualities.

2. Complete the USMLE/COMLEX board examinations

Students studying osteopathic medicine take the COMLEX, while students studying allopathic medicine take the USMLE. Both are required for medical licensure and to practice medicine within the United States.

3. Complete your residency training

After medical school, aspiring ID doctors must match into an internal medicine or pediatric residency, typically spanning over three years. This provides the clinical knowledge needed for further specialization in this area.

4. Pass the residency board exams

Passing board certification exams for either internal medicine or pediatrics is required to pursue an ID fellowship. Typically, the resident will undertake board review courses and study materials in preparation.

5. Complete an infectious disease fellowship

ID fellowships are two-year fellowships that include specialized training in infectious diseases through clinical rotations, research, and lab work. Infectious disease board exams are to be passed, granting physicians qualification to practice independently as board-certified ID specialists.

Conclusion

Infectious disease specialists continue to play an imperative role in controlling major health threats, like antibiotic resistance, emerging viruses, and global outbreaks. For AUAMED students, this specialty offers a rewarding career with growing demand and opportunities to make a real impact.

If you’re interested in making a difference in public health, becoming an ID physician might be your calling. Start exploring our Clinical Sciences Program today and join the fight against global health challenges!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How do infectious disease specialists work with other physicians?

Infectious disease specialists collaborate with other doctors to diagnose, manage, and treat complex infections, offering expert guidance on cases that require specialized care. 

What are the benefits of an infectious disease doctor?

Infectious disease doctors help combat complex and drug-resistant infections, improving patient outcomes. They also play a key role in public health by managing outbreaks and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.