The medical specialty of infectious diseases is a broad field characterized by the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses caused by infections. Infections can be caused by a variety of different pathogens or germs, and involve any part of the body. Examples of pathogens include bacteria, viruses, parasites, and spirochetes.
Examples of these infectious diseases include:
- Urinary tract infections including pyelonephritis
- Respiratory infections including pneumonia
- Joint and bone infections such as septic arthritis and osteomyelitis
- Skin infections such as cellulitis
- Toxic shock syndrome
- Hepatitis including Hepatitis C
- Tuberculosis and positive skin tests for tuberculosis (PPD)
- Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
- Sexually Transmitted Infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia, and venereal warts
- HIV and AIDS
- Travel related infections including malaria and traveler’s diarrhea
