About
the Division
What
is the division of Infectious Diseases?
*Infectious Disease Specialists are like medical detectives. They examine difficult cases, looking for clues to identify the culprit and solve the problem.
Your ID Physician Has 9-10 Years of Specialized Education & Training:
- 4 years of medical school
- 3 years training as a doctor of internal medicine
- 2-3 years specialized training in infectious diseases
Our ID specialists are board certified. They have passed a difficult certification examination by the American Board of Internal Medicine in both Internal medicine and Infectious Diseases.
Reducing Risk of Infectious Disease
One of the best strategies for preventing infectious diseases is immunization. Make sure you and your children receive all recommended vaccinations. Ask your doctor for advice about other things you and your family can do to prevent infectious diseases.
When You Need an ID Specialist
Many common infections can be treated by your personal physician. Your doctor might refer you to an ID specialist in cases where an infection is difficult to diagnose, is accompanied by a high fever, or does not respond to treatment.
Travel Abroad
ID specialists also see healthy people who plan to travel to foreign countries or locations where infection risk is higher. In these cases, ID specialists can help determine whether special immunizations or other preventive measures are necessary to protect travelers from disease.
Typical Procedures
ID specialists review your medical data, including X-rays and laboratory reports such as blood work and culture data. They also may perform a physical exam to help determine the cause of the problem.
Tests
ID specialists often order laboratory tests to examine samples of blood or other body fluids or cultures from wounds. A blood serum analysis can help the ID specialist detect antibodies that indicate what type of infection you have. These advanced tests can further explain the results of earlier tests, helping to pinpoint the problem.
Treatments
Treatments consist of medicines—usually antibiotics—to help battle the infection and prevent it from returning. These medicines may be given to you orally (in the form of pills or liquids) or administered directly into your veins, via an IV tube. Many ID specialists have IV antibiotic therapy available in their offices, which decreases the likelihood that you will need to be hospitalized.
What Information Should You Give Your ID Specialist?
- All medical records related to your condition
X-rays, laboratory reports and immunization records. Often your personal physician will forward this information to the specialist before your scheduled appointment.
- A list of all medications you take
This list should include over-the-counter and prescription medications
- A list of any allergies you have.
- Let the ID specialist know if you are taking birth control pills.
Some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
How Does My ID Specialist Work With Other Medical Professionals?
The ID specialist works with your personal physician to determine which diagnostic tests are appropriate. If treatment is necessary, your doctor and the ID specialist will work together to develop a treatment plan best suited to your needs. Often you will be asked to return to the ID specialist for a follow-up visit. This allows the specialist to check on your progress, confirm that the infection is gone and help prevent it from coming back. If you acquire an infection while in the hospital, the ID specialist will work with other hospital physicians to help direct your care. The specialist also might provide follow-up care after you go home.
ID Specialists Are Experts in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Illnesses Caused by Microorganisms
ID specialists see patients to determine whether their symptoms are due to an infection. Patients often see ID specialists due to a fever.
SIU ID specialists most generally do not serve as primary care physicians People with HIV/AIDS should have a primary care physician. HIV/AIDS patients now live long lives and develop illnesses associated with aging that ID specialists do not treat.
SIU Infectious Disease physicians also treat Hepatitis C and other hepatic diseases. If the patient is not responding to treatment, the ID physicians will refer to a gastroenterologist, but most patients who respond to treatment for Hepatitis C are monitored by Infectious Disease physicians.
In all of these cases, the specialized training and diagnostic tools of the ID specialist can help determine the cause of your infection and the best approach to treatment.
Where Can I Get More Information About the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases?
Your doctor is your best source of information. In addition, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), a professional organization of nearly 8,000 ID physicians, scientists, and other infectious diseases experts, can help point you in the direction of resources and additional information.Visit IDSA’s website: www.idsociety.org.
The HIV Medicine Association of IDSA, representing physicians and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, can help provide you with information on HIV/ AIDS resources.
Visit HIVMA’s website: www.hivma.org.
Related Information:
Facts About Infectious Diseases
*Used with permission from the Infectious Disease Society of America
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Faculty,
Fellows & Staff
Nancy
Khardori, MD, FACP
Janak Koirala, MD, MPH,
FACP
Sergio Rabinovich, MD
Cristian Speil, MD
Vidya Sundareshan, MD
Scott
J. Bergman, PharmD
Mohammed Ahmed, MD, Fellow
Isha Tyagi, MD, Fellow
Mary, LPN
Celena, MA
Nancy, Infectious Diseases Secretary
Marcy, Director of HIV/AIDS Program
Marty, Program Services Specialist
Cindy, Program Services Specialist
Monica, Program Services Specialist
Robyn, Program Services Specialist
Matt, HIV/AIDS Program Support
Linda, HIV/AIDS Program Support
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Contact
Information
Academic
Offices:
701 N. 1st Street
Springfield, Illinois 62702
217-545-0181 |
Infectious
Diseases Clinic:
751 N. Rutledge, Room 1100
Springfield, Illinois 62702
217-545-9346 |
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Driving
Directions
From
I-55 Northbound:
Take the 6th Street exit, go through downtown. Turn left
on Carpenter Street. Turn right on Rutledge Street. Turn
Left on Miller Street. The Parking Ramp will be located
on the right-hand side of the street.
From
I-55 Southbound:
Take
Exit 98B (Clearlake Avenue). Travel west to 1st Street.
Turn right on 1st Street. Turn left at Carpenter. Turn
right on Rutledge. Turn Left on Miller Street. The Parking
Ramp will be located on the right-hand side of the street.
Click here to view directions for locating Infectious Diseases within the SIU Clinics building.
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